The energy geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean during the Trump administration got into a significant phase as Israel, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC), Greece and Egypt made a move to shape the region’s energy landscape. These countries are now able to supply energy to Europe following the discovery of natural gas reserves in the Levant Basin. The European Union (EU) sought alternative energy sources to decrease its dependence on Russian gas during this time and the United States (U.S.) strongly supported this development during the Trump administration.[1]
The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) stood out as a leading initiative within this process. Israel, Cyprus, Egypt and Greece and Italy established this forum to advance the joint working interests of the states in natural gas extraction as well as transportation and marketing. The EastMed Pipeline Project aimed to carry gas from the Eastern Mediterranean through Greece and into Europe as a part of this forum.[2] Europe needed an energy system independent from Russia and Eastern Mediterranean nations needed to participate prominently in this system so the Trump administration heavily backed this project.[3] However, this energy cooperation faced serious geopolitical challenges. As a result of this, Turkey signed a maritime boundary agreement with Libya in 2019 in order to protect its rights in the region. The agreement established a new area for Turkey and Libya to explore and exploit energy resources in the Mediterranean Sea.
In response to these developments, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have continued to advance their natural gas reserves and infrastructure. However, the economic and technical feasibility of projects such as the EastMed Pipeline has remained uncertain for a long time. The Trump administration argued that these projects would strengthen regional cooperation and support energy diversification for Europe. However, factors such as rising costs and concerns over whether the region’s gas reserves would be sufficient have cast uncertainty over the future of these projects.
Through 2024 the Alexandroupolis FSRU terminal has been launched with U.S. support to facilitate LNG imports to the region. The transport of Greek gas to Europe with the help of Egyptian authorities has also remained active in cooperation.[4]
Financial aid provided to Greece during the Trump administration played a significant role, particularly in the context of energy geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. provided substantial financial support to Greece in various sectors to achieve its strategic objectives in the region. These aids primarily focused on military cooperation, energy infrastructure projects, and regional security.
In fact, the Trump administration also heightened its military assistance to Greece to enhance the existing U.S. bases in Greece and to establish new ones. In 2020, the United States was expected to give up to $200 million in military aid to Greece and this support was enhanced by the agreements that enhanced the two countries’ security cooperation. In addition, the other strategic component was U.S. energy investments in Greece. The United States has identified Greece as an important link in the energy supply chain that leads from the United States to Europe. The natural gas infrastructure of Greece is in line with the U.S. efforts to enhance the export of LNG.[5]
Energy projects stand out as initiatives that strengthen Greece’s connection to natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this context, the financial aid provided to Greece during the Trump administration played a critical role in enhancing energy independence and supporting the strategic interests of the United States in the region. Projects such as the Alexandroupolis FSRU Terminal have contributed to the development of Greece’s energy infrastructure, and U.S. support for such initiatives has increased. These projects can be seen as part of U.S. strategies aimed at deepening Greece’s energy dependence on the United States. During the Trump administration, U.S. officials played significant roles, particularly in strategic energy projects in Greece.
The Greek effort to reshape Southeastern Europe’s energy map has gained strong backing from the U.S. Ambassador to Athens George J. Tsunis. The role of the Alexandroupolis FSRU became essential both to diversify energy sources to respond to the Russian gas monopoly and to guarantee the energy security of Greece and its neighboring countries according to Tsunis. The ability of the FSRU to deliver LNG to Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and other countries emerged as essential for the region’s energy security.
As of 2024, U.S. LNG exports play a critical role in Europe’s energy supply, accounting for approximately 48% of total European LNG imports. This marks the third consecutive year that the U.S. has been Europe’s largest LNG supplier.[6] During the Trump administration from 2017 until 2021, the main guidance for U.S. energy security policy involved boosting energy production and reaching energy independence. Strong economic growth and low unemployment rates defined the United States at this time while energy production continued its upward trend. The rapid development of shale gas and shale oil production particularly strengthened the United States’ position by decreasing its dependence on foreign energy sources. Trump pursued a series of policies aimed at making the U.S. an “energy-dominant” nation.
The United States invests in strategic regions to ensure access to and security of energy resources worldwide. In this context, Washington views the Eastern Mediterranean as an opportunity to diversify Europe’s energy supply and enhance resilience against Russia’s energy policies. Energy partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, and Israel particularly serve this strategy. The U.S. military presence in the region and its diplomatic engagements are leveraged to strengthen its strategic interests.
In conclusion, the energy resources of the Eastern Mediterranean hold not only economic significance for the U.S. but also strategic, security, and diplomatic importance. These resources are considered crucial both for global energy security and for advancing U.S. regional interests.
[1] “Why the EU needs US liquefied natural gas”, Atlantic Council, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/why-the-eu-needs-us-liquefied-natural-gas/, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
[2] “Eastern Mediterranean Interconnecting Pipeline (EastMed)”, DEPA, https://depa-int.gr/en/interconnector-pipeline-eastmed/, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
[3] “Rethinking Gas Diplomacy in the Eastern Mediterranean”, International Crisis Group, https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena-turkiye/240-rethinking-gas-diplomacy-eastern, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
[4] “Egypt, Energean Discuss Energy Cooperation”, Egypt Oil & Gas Group, https://egyptoil-gas.com/news/egypt-energean-discuss-energy-cooperation/, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
[5] “Record-high LNG imports in Greece amid declining Russian pipeline gas flows to Europe”, Riviera, https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/record-high-lng-imports-in-greece-amid-declining-russian-gas-flows-to-europe-83693, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
[6] “Where does the EU’s gas come from?”, EU Council, https://shorturl.at/pXLhZ, (Accessed Date: 04.02.2025).
