U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday and, among other things, talked up potential exports of liquefied U.S. gas to Germany.

Ryan spoke with Merkel about Germany purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. Russia is currently Germany’s largest supplier of natural gas.

“…[W]e had an opportunity to speak about the issue of our natural gas supply in Ohio,” Ryan said. “I believe she is very interested in increasing competition for natural gas and buying it from a strong strategic ally that shares their values, especially an appreciation for the rule of law. If we play our cards properly, the natural gas boom in our region is an opportunity to both sell this resource abroad and create jobs at home.”

All of Germany’s gas comes to the country via pipeline; however, Germany is bordered in part by the North and Baltic seas. Norway and the Netherlands also supply gas to Germany via pipeline.

Lately, Russia’s Gazprom has been working in earnest to develop a market for its gas in China (see Daily GPI, March 26; March 15).

The meeting with Merkel was led by Ryan as part of the 30th Annual Congress-Bundestag Seminar of the Congressional Study Group on Germany. In addition to Merkel, the group met with members of the German Bundestag, members of the European Parliament and German businesses. Ryan is expected to host a German delegation to Ohio in 2014.

The bipartisan Congressional Study Group on Germany is a program of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) and is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. The mission of the FMC is to connect members of Congress with foreign legislators to explore together matters of mutual importance.

©Copyright 2013Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.