WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 30: US President Donald Trump speaks with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, US Senator Daniel S. Sullivan (R-AK), US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. The joint announcement revealed a major investment of $54 billion by South Korea, including the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump said he was “not jumping on board” with South Korea’s announcement to join the $50 billion Alaska LNG project, warning that South Korea could pay “double the amount” if it didn’t sign up soon.
His remarks came amid disagreements between the U.S. government and South Korea over South Korea’s plans to invest in energy and infrastructure in the United States, with President Trump announcing projects that South Korea says have not yet been finalized.
“If they don’t want to do it, that’s fine. We’ll just charge them more,” Trump told reporters Friday, according to the White House. “Tell me you’ll double the amount if I don’t sign right away.”
Trump did not say what he would double. However, local South Korean media raised the possibility that he was referring to increased tariffs on the country.
Asked whether he had prematurely announced South Korea’s involvement in the Alaska LNG project, President Trump replied, “I didn’t jump at it.”
President Trump’s remarks came after South Korea said it was still evaluating the Alaska LNG project and that participation would depend on its commercial viability and compliance with domestic legal procedures.
Separately, President Trump said on Truth Social Friday that South Korea’s investment agreement “continues to improve” and announced an additional $8.4 billion in oil recovery enhancement projects.
Enhanced oil recovery uses techniques such as carbon dioxide injection to increase the amount of crude oil produced from an oil field.
Local South Korean media also reported, citing the country’s Ministry of Industry, that the agreement reached between Seoul and Washington did not include oil recovery projects. The report said the department was trying to verify President Trump’s announcement and had contacted the United States through trade channels to seek clarification.
