In November 2022, as Europe grappled with an escalating energy crisis, Germany sealed a deal with Qatar to import up to 2 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from the Gulf state.

The agreement, due to start in 2026, was part of Europe's broader strategy to reduce reliance on Russian gas following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Nearly three years later, Qatar has threatened to halt LNG deliveries to Europe in a row over a European Union directive aimed at improving ethical standards in global trade.

German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported last weekend (July 26/27) that Qatari authorities have written to several EU governments urging the EU to revise the directive.

The letters warned that, without substantial changes, Qatar may redirect LNG exports to markets offering a "more stable and business-friendly environment."

The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), adopted last year, orders large European firms to scrutinize their global supply chains — from raw materials to finished products — to spot and fix issues like human rights abuses or environmental harm.

The directive also mandates that companies develop........

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