Surging Chinese natural gas consumption, combined with its limited domestic production, will make the country the world's largest gas importer starting in 2019 or even this year, the International Energy Agency said in a new report.
Why it matters: That projection, and other new IEA forecasts of China's remarkable gas demand growth, underscores the country's huge and growing presence in global energy markets.
By the numbers: IEA's new market outlook forecasts Chinese gas demand growing 60% between last year and 2023, accounting for 37% of all worldwide demand growth during the period.
Driving the trend: IEA says an important reason for China's rising thirst is the federal government's edict to improve the country's terrible air quality, in part by replacing coal with gas for industrial and residential use.
The intrigue: China's need for gas imports is likely one reason why, despite the U.S-China trade fight, American LNG isn't among the many goods hit with new tariffs.
