Taiwan imports nearly all of its energy supply, with official data showing about 38% of its natural gas comes from Australia, 25% from Qatar and just under 10% from the US.

Trump, who has promised a “golden age” for the US, has threatened several key trade partners with tariffs as he seeks to correct trade imbalances.

“CPC Corporation, considering factors such as shorter shipping routes and dispersed transport routes, is indeed very interested in Alaskan natural gas,” the economic affairs ministry said in a statement.

“The company will continue assessing the feasibility and is willing to increase purchases,” the ministry said.

The statement came after Trump warned of tariffs on overseas-made chips as part of an attempt to drive companies to shift manufacturing to the US.

Taiwan is a global power in the manufacturing of chips, which are used in products from Apple’s iPhones to Nvidia’s artificial intelligence hardware and are a key driver of its economy.

Trump, who has accused Taiwan of stealing the US chip industry, recently threatened to impose up to a 100% tax on imported semiconductors from the island.

Economic minister Kuo Jyh-huei told reporters on Saturday that he will dispatch his deputy to the US to discuss the possible tariffs with “people around Trump”.