President Donald Trump said the US and Japan are close to a deal to jointly export liquefied natural gas from Alaska, potentially boosting a long-delayed project that’s struggled to gain traction.

TOKYO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Japan will form a joint venture to develop a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska though a Japanese government official said he was not aware of such plans.

President Trump announced a major trade deal with Japan and hinted at an upcoming joint venture for LNG in Alaska, though Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working to confirm these comments.