Joe Biden receives Monday, January 31, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, a strong ally of Washington, against the backdrop of gas security in Europe, linked to the conflict around Ukraine, among other diplomatic issues and commercial.
It will be question during their meeting of“ensure the stability of the international energy supply”according to the American presidency, at a time when Washington and the Europeans are looking for alternatives if Russian gas ever runs out, in the event of an attack by Russia against Ukraine.
The Gulf emirate has huge reserves and is the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG, or LNG for the acronym in English).
No “magic wand”
A senior Biden administration official, however, declined to provide any details on this delicate subject during a press conference on Sunday, stressing that the United States was discussing with ” many “ suppliers.
“Negotiations are underway” to redirect gas deliveries planned for Asian markets to Europe if Russian President Vladimir Putin cuts off supplies to Western Europe,” a Qatari official told Agence France-Presse ahead of the meeting.
Corn “Qatar has no ‘magic wand’ to address gas shortages in Europe”says Bill Farren-Price, director of energy consulting firm Enverus.
The emirate is at the maximum of its production capacities and it must already honor long-term contracts with Asia.
strategic ally
The visit will nevertheless be an opportunity for this country, which is home to a large American base, to affirm its position of solid support for the United States in the region.
“They want to position themselves in this niche of the most important strategic ally for the United States in the Gulf”told AFP Andreas Krieg, professor at King’s College London.
The senior White House official stressed on Sunday that the emirate has “really been alongside” of the United States in the fight against terrorism in general and against the Islamic State group in particular.
During their meeting, it should be a question of these questions of regional security, as well as negotiations around the Iranian nuclear power.
But economic and commercial subjects will not be forgotten. Qatar is a major purchaser of US arms and a major Boeing customer.
The emirate had said in November preparing an order for large cargo planes and signaled its interest in a freight version of the 777X, the future long-haul of the American aircraft manufacturer. In this case, he would become the very first customer.
