Natural gas steadies near $3.83 as Trump–Xi energy talks spark renewed optimism
Natural gas futures traded around $3.83 per MMBtu on Thursday, extending their rebound after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that China had agreed to begin purchasing American energy supplies. The remarks, made following the Trump–Xi meeting at the APEC summit, reignited optimism that long-delayed trade cooperation could translate into large-scale oil and gas deals, including potential supply from Alaska.
Highlights
- Natural gas trades near $3.83 as U.S.–China energy talks boost sentiment.
- Breakout above $3.80 signals renewed technical strength after months of compression.
- Focus shifts to OPEC+ policy and winter demand as next key drivers.
The news helped bolster sentiment in a market that has spent much of 2025 caught between geopolitical uncertainty and shifting demand patterns.
Chart structure shows breakout potential
The daily chart paints a constructive technical picture. Natural gas has broken above a descending trendline that capped price action since the spring. The latest advance pushed futures through $3.80, with resistance now forming near $3.85 and support well established around $3.20–$3.25, where the 50- and 100-day EMAs cluster. This region has repeatedly acted as a springboard for buyers since late summer, forming the structural base of the current rally.

Natural gas price dynamics (Source: TradingView)
A sustained close above $3.85 would confirm bullish momentum, targeting $4.00 initially and $4.20 beyond that. The 200-day EMA near $3.36 has already flipped from resistance to support, further strengthening the upward bias. Failure to defend $3.20, however, would weaken the setup and risk a return to the $2.80 floor, last tested in August.
Momentum indicators back the bullish tilt. The RSI has climbed to 67, reflecting improving buying strength after a multi-week consolidation. While nearing overbought levels, past peaks in this zone have often coincided with continued extensions toward fresh highs, suggesting potential for follow-through as long as the move remains orderly.
Macro backdrop turns supportive but fragile
Fundamentally, the tone remains cautiously optimistic. Trump’s remarks about renewed Chinese energy purchases provided a short-term lift, but analysts remain wary of execution risks. Beijing has largely avoided U.S. crude and LNG imports this year amid trade friction and tariff complications. Moreover, Chinese firms have often resold American cargoes in secondary markets, blunting the impact on U.S. export revenues.
Still, the geopolitical optics of potential U.S.–China energy deals carry weight. A concrete agreement could help rebalance flows ahead of winter demand season, particularly if colder weather tightens regional inventories. U.S. gas storage levels currently sit near five-year averages, offering a cushion but limiting upside unless demand accelerates sharply.
On the policy side, traders are also watching the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, where the alliance may reassess output coordination with Russia. Any production cuts or renewed cooperation could indirectly influence global gas sentiment by shifting energy trade balances and price correlations across fuel types.
Outlook: Bullish bias builds above $3.80
Natural gas sits at a pivotal juncture after months of range-bound trading. The technical breakout above $3.80 reinforces a bullish bias, but confirmation requires a close above $3.85 to unlock further upside toward $4.20. Support remains firm at $3.20–$3.25, with deeper protection near $2.80 if momentum fades.
As previously discussed, the combination of trade optimism, steady winter demand, and technical resilience positions natural gas for potential near-term strength. However, the rally’s sustainability will depend on whether geopolitical promises translate into tangible trade flows — and whether weather-driven demand aligns with the improving chart signals.
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