BERLIN (AP) — Germany's economy minister says he's confident the country will soon have two terminals capable of receiving imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas, something Washington has been pressing for in its bid to increase exports to Europe.

Peter Altmaier told a meeting of German and American officials Tuesday that Berlin is prepared to provide "substantial" subsidies to the consortia building the terminals, but declined to name a figure.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette said the United States was "encouraged" by an agreement between Germany and France last week that will see EU regulations applied to gas pipelines such as the Russian-German Nord Stream 2.

Washington has strongly objected to the project, fearing it will give Russia greater political leverage in Europe and bypass U.S. allies in Eastern Europe.