As it weans itself off Russian fuel and races to secure enough natural gas and coal, Europe¡¯s quest to stay warm this winter will depend heavily on three nations on the other side of the world: Japan, South Korea and China.
The Asian countries ¡ª among the world¡¯s biggest importers of liquefied natural gas and seaborne coal ¡ª all share a peak heating demand season during the winter with Europe. It¡¯s still too early for meteorologists to make accurate predictions for winter weather patterns, but any forecast for steep dips in temperatures in the three nations could spark a more intense tussle for cargoes.
International competition for fuel has increased since Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine upended global trade flows, helping push prices of coal and natural gas to record highs.
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