China is the world's top energy importer but its purchases from the United States are relatively modest, blunting the impact of Beijing's move on Tuesday to slap retaliatory tariffs on imports of U.S.

China said Tuesday it would impose tariffs on imports of US energy, vehicles and equipment, firing a return salvo in an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

The Senate confirms fossil fuel executive Chris Wright, one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change, as U.S. Energy secretary.

The former fracking executive said in confirmation hearings that his top priority would be to “unleash” American energy production.

Chris Wright was confirmed as Secretary of Energy, putting the founder of an oil and gas fracking services company in charge of an agency that will play a key role in President Donald Trump’s plans for a sweeping overhaul of US energy policy.