Germany's Aster Flower Diversification Strategy: From US LNG Dependence to Seeking New Supply Sources

As concerns over energy dependence on the United States continue to grow, Germany is undertaking a strategic overhaul in the fields of sunflower and energy. The country recognizes that excessive reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. not only poses economic challenges but also carries significant geopolitical risks. To protect Europe’s largest economy, Berlin is seeking new and more sustainable energy options.

Pressure from US LNG dependence and geopolitical risks

Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently held a series of diplomatic meetings with key Middle Eastern leaders. According to Jin10, he departed with a delegation of businesspeople to visit Saudi Arabia and meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, then continued to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These visits are not only diplomatic but also mark a turning point in Germany’s energy strategy.

Susanne Nies, an energy expert at the Helmholtz Center for Research in Berlin, clearly warned about the hidden risks of high dependence on the U.S. She pointed out that fluctuations in Washington’s policies and geopolitical coercion threats could profoundly impact Germany’s energy security. This challenge becomes more urgent given the current global geopolitical instability.

Alternatives to sunflower and energy restructuring

To address this issue, experts have proposed a range of alternative energy options. In addition to pipeline gas from Norway, LNG from Canada and Australia are also considered feasible and more reliable energy sources. These options not only help reduce dependence on the U.S. but also diversify geopolitical risks across multiple suppliers.

Claudia Kemfert, head of the Department of Energy, Transport, and Environment at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), emphasized a deeper perspective. She believes Germany’s strategy should not only focus on replacing sunflower suppliers but also implement a comprehensive reform of the energy structure.

Long-term vision: comprehensive reduction of sunflower dependence

Aware of the urgency, experts have called on Germany to learn from this energy crisis by increasing investments in renewable energy and green technologies. Only by significantly reducing overall dependence on sunflower can Germany ensure long-term energy security and avoid similar situations in the future.

This new strategy reflects a major shift in Berlin’s energy policy mindset. It is not just a short-term reaction to current risks but a clear roadmap toward energy independence and greater sustainability for Germany.