华盛顿，9月30日：据两位知情人士透露，预计唐纳德·特朗普总统将于周三宣布计划，从韩国承诺的3500亿美元战略投资包中动用约540亿美元，用于帮助在阿拉斯加建设液化天然气设施，并为其他美国项目提供资金。
WASHINGTON, Sept 30 : President Donald Trump is expected to announce on Wednesday plans to tap South Korea's pledged $350 billion strategic investment package for about $54 billion to help build a liquefied natural gas facility in Alaska and fund other U.S. projects, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
这一宣布将是特朗普在11月中期选举前突出的一系列经济和投资协议的一部分。在选民对伊朗战争和高汽油价格表示担忧之际，他正寻求巩固其经济政绩。阿拉斯加液化天然气项目也正值共和党人试图保卫其在阿拉斯加的参议院席位，现任共和党参议员丹·沙利文正与民主党人玛丽·佩尔托拉展开备受关注的竞选对决。
The announcement would be part of a series of economic and investment deals Trump is highlighting ahead of November's midterm elections, as he seeks to reinforce his economic record amid voter concerns over the Iran war and high gasoline prices. The Alaska LNG project also comes as Republicans seek to defend their Senate seat in Alaska, where incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a closely watched race.
白宫日程显示，特朗普定于美国东部时间下午3点30分发表声明，但未透露具体内容。
The White House schedule says Trump is due to make an announcement at 3:30 p.m. ET, but provides no details about its subject.
据知情人士称，这540亿美元将用于阿拉斯加液化天然气项目及其他项目。该投资包是去年华盛顿与首尔达成的贸易协议的一部分。
The $54 billion would be directed toward Alaska LNG and other projects, the people said. The investment package was part of a trade agreement reached between Washington and Seoul last year.
阿拉斯加液化天然气项目将包括一条从北坡地区输送天然气至该州南部海岸液化设施的管道，以便将燃料运往亚洲市场。
The Alaska LNG project would include a pipeline carrying natural gas from the North Slope to a liquefaction facility on the state's southern coast, allowing the fuel to be shipped to Asian markets.
特朗普多次推广该项目，称其有助于扩大美国能源出口，并加强与包括韩国和日本在内的盟友的关系。
Trump has repeatedly promoted the project as a way to expand U.S. energy exports and strengthen ties with allies including South Korea and Japan.
该项目多年来一直面临成本、融资和商业可行性方面的不确定性。来自首尔的投资可能提供一个潜在的融资来源。
The project has faced years of uncertainty over its cost, financing and commercial viability. Investment from Seoul could provide a potential source of financing.
韩国反对派议员对美国项目的投资提出了关于其商业可行性和财政风险的担忧。
South Korean opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about the commercial viability and fiscal risks of investments in U.S. projects.
“在考虑政治需求或外交要求之前，我们必须首先彻底核实任何可能给公众带来沉重负担的投资项目的商业合理性及其可行性，”韩国国会贸易委员会主席金成元（Kim Sung-won）周三对路透社表示。
"Before considering political needs or diplomatic demands, however, it was necessary to thoroughly verify the commercial rationale and viability of any investment that put a tremendous burden on the public," Kim Sung-won, a South Korean lawmaker who chairs parliament's trade committee, told Reuters on Wednesday.
金成元表示，韩国国会将仔细审查这些美国投资项目的盈利能力以及对韩国企业的实际好处。
Kim said South Korea's National Assembly would closely examine the profitability of U.S. investment projects and the benefits for Korean companies.
日本的两大液化天然气（LNG）进口商——JERA和东京燃气（Tokyo Gas）已签署初步协议，计划在阿拉斯加液化天然气项目建成后每年购买总计200万吨液化天然气。
Japan's two biggest LNG importers, JERA and Tokyo Gas, have signed preliminary agreements to buy a combined 2 million metric tons a year from Alaska LNG if it is built.
该项目开发商Glenfarne曾在3月份表示，他们已获得了每年1300万吨液化天然气的采购承诺，但还需要额外300万吨的采购量才能确保融资到位，并使所有采购承诺具有法律约束力。
Glenfarne, the project's developer, said in March it had lined up commitments for 13 million tons a year, but needed another 3 million tons to secure financing and make all commitments binding.
美国和韩国官员一直在共同探讨适合韩国投资的项目；阿拉斯加液化天然气项目、核能项目以及德克萨斯州的燃气发电项目都在讨论范围内。
U.S. and South Korean officials have been working to identify projects for Seoul's investment package, with Alaska LNG, nuclear power and a gas-fired power project in Texas among those discussed.