Taiwan has agreed to buy a large share of Alaska's planned liquefied natural gas output, a deal seen as good for Taiwan's energy security and for its standing in Washington.

• Trump said Taiwan will take 30% of the gas from the Alaska LNG pipeline project over 20 years, plus invest $4.4 billion in it.
• Taiwan's economy ministry said state oil company CPC plans to buy 6 million tonnes a year once production starts.
• Analysts in Washington say the purchases cut Taiwan's trade surplus with the US — something Washington cares about a lot — and give the US more reason to keep Taiwan safe.
• Taiwan's commitment also helps make the pipeline profitable after South Korea questioned whether the project makes commercial sense.
• Gas shipped straight across the Pacific would spread Taiwan's supply routes and reduce the risk of a blockade or regional conflict cutting it off.

Outlook: Exports are not expected before the early 2030s, so Taiwan's role in the project would run deep into the 2050s.