ISTANBUL

Energy will be central to efforts to reach the $100 billion bilateral trade goal between Washington and Ankara, the US Consul General in Istanbul said, describing Türkiye as a strategic partner in expanding energy security, supply resilience and competitive pricing.

Speaking to Anadolu at the 25th World LNG Summit in Istanbul, Michael Lally said the energy sector offers practical pathways for accelerating trade growth at a time when global supply chains and market dynamics are rapidly shifting.

"We talked about how we wish to grow our trade, how we have to work towards that $100 billion goal, and the road there is energy," he said, adding that LNG cooperation is a key part of that effort.

LNG deals shape economic ties
Turkish companies have signed multibillion-dollar LNG agreements with US firms, reinforcing energy’s central role in bilateral commerce.

Lally said: "We see Türkiye as a major partner in that way, providing energy security, reliability, and competitive prices in our partnership through Türkiye, using energy as a further link between our countries."

His remarks come as Türkiye and the US seek to reinvigorate a long-standing trade objective, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) viewed as a priority area for scaling commercial ties.

Marking its 25th anniversary, the World LNG Summit was held in Türkiye for the first time on Dec. 2-5, reflecting the country’s rising profile in the global market.

Türkiye is Europe’s fourth-largest natural gas market, with annual consumption of roughly 60 billion cubic meters (bcm), according to official figures. Long-term LNG contracts signed by Türkiye in 2025 alone amount to 106 bcm.

The country has rapidly expanded infrastructure, increasing regasification capacity fivefold to 161 million cubic meters per day and raising storage capacity to more than 6 bcm, with further expansion planned.

The Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) now sources natural gas from 22 countries and 33 companies, supplying surplus volumes to regional markets.

-Long-term strategic vision

Lally said Washington and Ankara have cooperated for decades throughout the region in energy because they are natural partners, noting Türkiye’s growing demands as its economy expands.

"Türkiye needs further energy resources in order to grow its economy, and the United States is there as a reliable partner that provides advantageous commercial terms and a long-term vision for that," he said. "Türkiye's investment in its onshore infrastructure and its regasification units make it a very attractive market."

He said cooperation supports the broader goal of expanding trade while enhancing energy security and supply resilience for both countries.

-‘Energy partnership is the way to go’

Referring to what he described as an "excellent" meeting between the two countries’ presidents on Sept. 25 in Washington, Lally said energy was a central theme in discussions on expanding commercial ties.

"We believe that the energy partnership is the way to go," he said. "Türkiye has always tried to position itself as a regional hub, working closely with American suppliers, not only in LNG but in all areas of energy, including infrastructure."

"That is where we want to take that decades-long partnership forward for the future," he added.

Lally highlighted Türkiye’s increasing role in supplying LNG to regional markets, citing investments in pipelines, storage capacity and regasification facilities.

He said LNG provides flexible cargoes that enable firms from both countries to cooperate bilaterally and supply energy that heats homes, powers industry and supports economic growth.

-Nuclear and aviation cooperation

Referring to a recently signed nuclear energy agreement between Türkiye and the US, Lally said civil nuclear cooperation formed part of a broader long-term partnership.

"The way the civil nuclear industry works is a long-term industry," he said. "As we saw on September 25th … we are going to be working together on all aspects of civil nuclear cooperation in order to provide the long-term power needs that Türkiye will need to power its economy."

He also pointed to a civil aviation agreement involving the delivery of Boeing aircraft to Turkish Airlines as an example of expanding private-sector engagement, adding that Washington would pursue opportunities in information technology, healthcare and other sectors to help meet the $100 billion target.

"We are always very happy to collaborate with our Turkish partners," he said.