Xi Arrives in Washington to Discuss US LNG Trade Blocked by 15% Tariff Since Q1 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington on September 24 to discuss reviving a US LNG trade worth $6 billion annually, contingent on lifting the 15% Chinese tariff that has blocked American gas since February 2025. US LNG shipments to China fell from 64 vessels in 2024 to zero in 2025. China absorbed the loss of 17% of Qatar's LNG export capacity, destroyed by Iranian missiles at Ras Laffan on March 18-19, by buying from Australia (36%), Southeast Asia (20%), Russia (12%), and Canada (4%) from January through July. American cargoes made up 0.2%. China Gas Holdings signed a 20-year deal with Venture Global on September 14 for 500,000 metric tons annually from 2030 — under 1% of China's 2025 imports of 68.43 million tons. The contract sets no tariff terms. Washington and Beijing are negotiating tariff cuts on roughly $30 billion of each side's exports ahead of the summit.