Qatar’s energy Minister: Trade rules could undermine LNG supply

Qatar’s Energy Minister, Saad al-Kaabi, has urged gas-producing nations to take a firm stance against what he called “trade barriers and discriminatory measures” that threaten the free flow of energy products, particularly natural gas.

Speaking Thursday at the ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha, Al-Kaabi warned that such restrictions could damage global energy security and distort markets.

“We must be clear in our opposition to trade barriers and discriminatory measures that disadvantage energy products, especially natural gas,” he told fellow ministers.

Though he didn’t name any specific policies, his remarks come as Qatar and the United States have both pushed back against a controversial new European Union corporate sustainability law. The regulation, which aims to enforce stricter environmental and human rights standards across global supply chains, could penalize violators up to 5% of global revenues.

Last week, in an interview with Reuters, Al-Kaabi warned that Qatar might no longer be able to do business with the EU—including supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG)—if the EU doesn’t amend the law.

The criticism reflects mounting concerns from gas-exporting nations that environmental legislation in consumer countries could be used as a de facto trade barrier, impacting long-term supply contracts and pricing.

Despite these tensions, Al-Kaabi struck an optimistic note about the sector’s future:

“The outlook for natural gas, and LNG in particular, remains positive,” he said, citing rising demand across Asia, especially in power-hungry sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence.

Al-Kaabi also pointed out that geopolitical instability and inconsistent climate policies continue to affect global energy markets, but that economic growth in emerging markets is expected to keep gas demand strong.