In March, the U.S. set a new record for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, reaching over 9 million metric tons (MT), as reported by LSEG. The country is already the top LNG exporter globally, and efforts to boost energy production are emphasized by President Donald Trump. The significant increase in exports was driven by the ramp up of Phase 1 of Venture Global Inc's Plaquemines LNG plant in Louisiana. This plant has been operating above its design capacity, recently achieving a new production record. The majority of U.S. LNG exports continue to be directed to Europe, though there has been a shift with Asia becoming more competitive due to price declines in both regions. While exports to Asia increased in March, sales to Latin America remained steady, and there was a rise in shipments to the Middle East. Additionally, there were available quantities of LNG with no clear destination.