The phrase "oil importer" refers to a country or entity that buys or brings in oil from other countries to fulfill its energy needs because it doesn't produce enough oil on its own. Full definition
And as the largest oil importer in the world, there is a great deal of logic in having oil contracts trade in yuan. (businessinsider.com)
As of October of this year, the U.S. will cease to be the world's largest net oil importer, a title it's held, somewhat reluctantly, since the 1970s, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts. (canadianbusiness.com)
China is now the biggest crude oil importer in the world, and the pace of its oil demand growth is capable of influencing the oil market and the trade in the two most traded crude futures in the world, Brent and WTI. (hiram1555.com)