WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- A deal that would put Taiwanese money behind an Alaska gas pipeline exists, so far, in the words of the president and his commerce secretary at a campaign rally, and not in any statement from Taipei.

President Donald Trump told the rally in Wasilla, Alaska, on Tuesday that "Taiwan has just agreed to buy 30% of the gas coming off the pipeline for the next 20 years," adding that it "guarantees a success." He called it "one of the biggest commitments in history for anything," Anadolu Agency reported.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who also spoke at the rally, said Taiwan had committed to invest $4.4 billion in developing the pipeline. Neither report gives a price, a volume or a delivery date, and neither carries ...