Today a true friend of USLNG, Ditte Juul Jørgensen, becomes Director General for Trade and Economic Security at the European Commission. Since 2019, Ditte has served as the EU’s Director General for Energy, leading DG-ENER through the Pandemic, Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and the current energy market turmoil.

On 01 August 2019, when Ditte assumed her role at DG-ENER, there were six USLNG export terminals, producing 37 mtpa, of which 14.5 mtpa went to Europe (EU-27, U.K., and Türkiye). Now in mid-2026, nine USLNG export terminals are shipping LNG and five more are being built. USLNG exports reached 111 mtpa in 2025 and could reach 130 mtpa this year. Some 67% of exports during the 12-months ending 31 March 2026 were landed in Europe.

The European Union, like the United States and other places, is striving to achieve energy security while providing affordable electricity and gas to industry and consumers. At the same time, the EU has not wavered from its climate ambitions—a stance that makes achieving its energy security and affordability objectives even more difficult. Add the imperative to eliminate energy imports from the Russian Federation, and you have conditions that would tire even the gods on Mount Olympus.

Ditte Juul Jørgensen approached these challenges with calm, care, and deep thought. She assembled a terrific team and together they have helped the 449 million citizens of the EU weather some truly difficult years. It has been my pleasure to know Ditte well during her service at the Energy Directorate. She graciously accepted nearly every speaking invitation we extended, delivering thoughtful and insightful remarks—including at our Pittsburgh Summit just three months ago, where she captured the spirit of the Transatlantic LNG Partnership perfectly: “A partnership that is working well should not retire, should not end… you can simply upgrade it.”

If there is any consolation in her departure, it is that she moves on to lead the Trade and Economic Security Department at the Commission. There she will work alongside another tried and true friend of the USLNG industry, H.E. Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for that portfolio. We had the honor of hosting Maroš at a small LNG Allies roundtable in Feb. 2024, where he said something profound: “America has become the guarantor of global energy security.” With Ditte by his side, LNG Allies looks forward to a continued close and collaborative working relationship.