U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China have ramped up this year but remain far below the levels specified in a phase one trade deal signed in January by the two countries to try to improve trade relations.

Since U.S. LNG exports to China resumed in March after a hiatus of more than one year, the East Asian country has imported, or is scheduled to import, a combined 49 U.S. cargoes with a total volume of 7.92 million cubic meters, equivalent to about 168 Bcf of natural gas, according to data intelligence firm Kpler. Additionally, 18 LNG vessels with U.S. cargoes have not declared their destinations, so some of those could go to China.

That compares with two U.S. LNG deliveries to China in 2019 with a combined volume equivalent to 6.9 Bcf and 26 exports in 2018...