The world consumed more energy than ever before in 2025, with fossil fuels—oil, natural gas, and coal—accounting for 86% of global energy use, according to the Energy Institute's 2026 Statistical Review of World Energy. This reliance persists despite record growth in renewable power sources such as wind and solar.

U.S. oil production hit a record 21.1 million barrels per day in 2025, nearly matching the combined output of Saudi Arabia and Russia. This milestone aligns with President Donald Trump's push to expand domestic oil and gas production, which he argues is essential for lowering energy prices, strengthening national security, and boosting economic growth.

"America has abundant resources—President Trump is unleashing them," a White House spokeswoman, Taylor Rogers, told Fox News Digital. She added, "Even left-wing studies are finding that President Trump’s energy dominance agenda has been undeniably successful in unleashing reliable, affordable, and secure energy."

The recent conflict involving Iran has intensified discussions about energy security. Economist Steve Moore emphasized that the conflict highlights the importance of continuing to expand U.S. domestic energy production. He noted that the world’s dependence on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz has been exposed once again, contributing to upward pressure on energy prices.

"Every time we've had flare-ups in the Middle East, this has caused a lot of disruption to the energy markets," Moore said, underscoring the geopolitical risks tied to global oil supply routes.

Heritage Foundation chief economist EJ Antoni echoed these concerns, stating that the conflict underscores the need for the U.S. to move beyond mere energy independence and toward what President Trump has termed "energy dominance." Antoni said, "The Iran war has shown us it's not simply enough for America to be pumping at current levels. America needs to be not just energy independent, but energy dominant."

The Trump administration’s energy strategy is positioned as a key factor ahead of the 2027 midterm elections, where economic issues and inflation are expected to be central campaign topics. Expanding domestic fossil fuel production is presented as a way to lower costs for American families and businesses, create jobs, and enhance national energy security.

Overall, the 2026 Statistical Review of World Energy confirms that despite significant investments in renewable energy, fossil fuels remain the backbone of global energy consumption, powering homes, businesses, transportation, and industry worldwide.

What to Watch

The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their impact on global energy markets will continue to influence U.S. energy policy debates. The effectiveness of the Trump administration’s push for "energy dominance" will be closely scrutinized as the nation balances economic growth, energy security, and environmental concerns.

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