Asia-Pacific allies ink US$57 billion in deals with US companies: US interior secretary

ASIA-PACIFIC allies agreed to US$57 billion in 22 deals with American companies during this weekend’s Indo-Pacific Energy Security Forum in Tokyo, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Sunday (Mar 15).

In an interview on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures, he also said Japan is interested in buying more US oil.

The total value of investments was revised up from US$56 billion to US$57 billion after an additional deal was finalised following the close of the conference, Burgum said.

Burgum said the forum underscored the “need to sell energy to our friends and allies so they are not forced to rely on adversaries.”

He also noted that Japan is helping lead the coalition of nations to put more oil supply in the market.

“From a Japan standpoint, when they are dependent on oil coming out of the Strait, that’s a great indication of their partnership with the United States and a great indication of their leadership on the world stage to jump in and say they are going to release a significant portion of their reserves,” Burgum said. REUTERS