The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the Middle East conflict and U.S. trade tensions have amplified the need for Canada to increase exports of liquefied natural gas to Asia, the chief executive officer of TC Energy says. The Globe's Brent Jang writes that the U.S. far outpaces Canada in the race to supply LNG globally, CEO François Poirier said in a speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa on Tuesday. "Geopolitical events have presented Canada with a generational opportunity," he said. "But to seize it, Canada must improve competitiveness and attract global capital to build big things again." Before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, about one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz. "With safe shores and proximity to markets, Canada can offer a reliable alternative," Mr. Poirier said, adding that LNG exports to Asia "can strengthen energy security for our allies while delivering significant economic benefits for Canada." LNG Canada, this country's first export terminal for natural gas in liquid form, began shipping from Kitimat, B.C., to Asia last June. Two smaller projects in B.C. -- Woodfibre LNG and Cedar LNG -- are under construction.