Three years after dramatically reducing its reliance on Russian energy, Europe now finds itself in a new kind of energy crisis—this time driven by shifting policies in the United States. With President Donald Trump back in office and reworking global trade strategies, European leaders are expressing growing concern that American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports may soon become a political bargaining chip.

The European Union had committed to phasing out Russian gas by 2027, following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In the immediate aftermath of the conflict, European countries scrambled to secure alternative energy sources, with U.S. LNG playing a key role in filling the gap.

But that dependency now appears to be a double-edged sword.

“Energy is no longer just a market commodity—it’s increasingly being used as a tool of foreign policy,” said Margrethe Lund, a senior energy analyst at the European Policy Centre. “Europe is realizing it has swapped one dependency for another.”

President Trump’s administration has made no secret of its intention to prioritize American economic interests, even if it means unsettling global allies. Recent tariff threats and public criticism of the EU’s trade surplus with the U.S. have heightened anxieties in Brussels and beyond.

At the center of the controversy is the fear that LNG shipments to Europe could be restricted or taxed as part of broader trade disputes, similar to how the Trump administration has approached tariffs on semiconductors and other key sectors. “We must be prepared for the possibility that energy supply becomes a negotiating tactic,” warned EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.

The concerns are serious enough that some European companies and energy regulators are quietly reopening talks about resuming limited imports of Russian gas—despite the EU’s 2022 pledge to cut such ties permanently. While any such move would be politically sensitive, especially amid ongoing support for Ukraine, officials argue it’s about pragmatic risk management.

“This isn’t about trusting Russia again,” said an anonymous German energy official. “It’s about protecting ourselves from becoming too vulnerable to unpredictable allies.”

Some EU countries, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, remain firmly opposed to any return to Russian energy, viewing it as a betrayal of Ukraine and a dangerous reversal of hard-won independence. But others, such as Hungary and Slovakia, have long advocated for a more flexible approach to energy sourcing.

Meanwhile, the debate is putting pressure on European investments in renewables and hydrogen, which are still years away from matching the scale of traditional gas supply. The result is a fragile balancing act between principle and practicality.

Industry leaders are urging the EU to diversify not just away from Russia—but away from overreliance on any single provider. “We need to be smarter this time,” said Annika Pohl of the European Gas Association. “Energy security must include geopolitical risk assessments. It’s not just about pipelines anymore.”

For now, the EU is exploring diplomatic solutions, including long-term LNG contracts with countries like Qatar and Algeria. But with global demand rising and climate targets looming, the path forward remains uncertain.

As Europe rethinks its energy future, the lesson seems clear: energy independence isn’t just about geography—it’s about political reliability.