U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to increase South Korea’s costs if it does not agree to invest in the $50 billion Alaska liquefied natural gas project, despite Seoul’s position that no investment decision has been finalized. Trump said Washington could charge South Korea more or double its burden, without specifying whether he meant tariffs, investment or another measure. The comments add pressure to a bilateral arrangement under which the United States agreed to reduce tariffs on Korean goods to 15% from 25% in exchange for South Korean investment in the United States. Trump also announced an $8.4 billion South Korean investment in an Enhanced Oil Recovery project, though South Korean officials said it was not part of the announced investment agreement and sought to verify the claim. The administration has separately applied 12.5% forced-labor tariffs to South Korea under Section 301 of the Trade Act and is investigating alleged structural overproduction. U.S. officials have portrayed the Alaska project as beneficial to both countries, while Seoul says it requires economic-feasibility and other reviews. Trump’s campaign for the project also reflects the Republican Party’s effort to retain its Senate majority by supporting Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his race against Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola.