Chinese whispers, European jitters

Brittle EU gas markets were rattled by misplaced fears of renewed Chinese appetite for LNG. In fact, China barely needs spot LNG and will probably be sending more cargoes to Europe in the coming years

Europe, we are told, should fear China. A prevailing narrative in some energy circles is that post-Covid Chinese demand for liquefied natural gas will come roaring back and that Europe will face a much tougher task restocking gas for next winter than last time around.

The narrative is not entirely incorrect but it certainly says more about the current en…