It's one of the most important nights on Taiwan's business calendar, an annual dinner in Taipei, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

Where business leaders from around the world rub elbows with officials from both countries.

But the star of the show wasn't a person, but a pipeline for LNG, liquefied natural gas.

The Trump administration is especially eager to share our LNG resources with close partners, including through the completion of the Alaska North Slope LNG project.

The pipeline, which has been pushed since President Trump took office in January, aims to sell Alaska's LNG to Asia.

My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner.

The 44 billion US dollar project would stretch 1300 kilometers across the northern state.

The gas it produced would then be shipped to some of the world's largest gas importers, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

And the night saw Taiwan's national oil company CPC announce its intent to invest in the project and buy its LNG.

We are very interested in buying Alaskan natural gas because it can meet our needs and ensure our energy security.

The Alaska LNG pipeline is not merely a project, it is a symbol of our commitment to each other's success and economic security.

Taiwan is aiming to get 50% of its power from gas this year, as it transitions away from both coal and nuclear power.

Taiwan is the first Asian country to commit to Alaska's LNG project.

A crucial deal for a costly undertaking that's faced criticism over its price tag.

And hanging over the night's optimism are the unfinished trade and tax deals.

Mentioned by both President Lai and the chamber's leader.

There's real momentum to solve double taxation, a longstanding Amcham advocacy priority.

And there is light at the end of that tunnel, we will continue to urge the US and Taiwan to reach an agreement that strengthens business ties.

But the night's only representative for Washington made no mention of either trade or tax.

Trump remains skeptical of trade deals, so will Taiwan's huge investments in the US win him over?

It's one of the many questions weighing on those gathered here for this dinner.

We're all hoping they've been served the ingredients.

For better economic ties.

Justin Woo and Chris Gorin for Taiwan Plus.