News about International trade

Kazakhstan has officially announced its readiness to join the Zangezur corridor project. This move could dramatically change the entire logistical map of Eurasia and create a new strategic route from China and Central Asia to Turkey and Europe, bypassing traditional routes.

When the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, its global partners included Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mastercard, Pontiac, and the Japanese brands Canon, Fujifilm and JVC. Three decades later, FIFA’s sponsorship structure has changed radically: companies from China and the Middle East are increasingly present at the world’s biggest soccer tournament – and this is already raising political questions in the United States.

Global wine consumption in 2025 has fallen to its lowest level since 1957.

Turkey has proposed to build a fuel pipeline worth 1.2 billion dollars exclusively for military needs. According to the Turkish side, the proposed route could cost 5 times cheaper than alternatives through, for example, Greece or other countries. The proposal will be presented before the July NATO summit in Ankara.

Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter, may not have enough wheat to harvest this year. This is due to abnormally cold weather and heavy rains, which led to the worst start to the spring sowing season in Russia in many years.

China has become the largest supplier of cars to Moldova, taking 18% of the import market in 2025. This was reported by IDIS Viitorul expert Veaceslav Ionita.

The conflict in the Middle East, now in its 11th week, has led to the closure of a crucial shipping channel and a spike in energy prices.

The Memorandum on bilateral cooperation in the process of European integration and implementation of European standards was signed by the heads of the National Association of Milk and Dairy Producers “Lapte” of the Republic of Moldova and the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine.

In the first quarter of 2026, exports of goods amounted to 848.5 million euros, up 10.2% compared to the corresponding period of 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

A large (about 10 tons) shipment of imported dill was detained at the border and subsequently destroyed due to excessive pesticide residues.

One of the largest and most developed chemical clusters in the world is on the verge of a large-scale crisis. Over the past year, two of the cluster’s ten companies have already closed plants. Europe’s chemical industry is under pressure due to high energy prices, weak demand and growing competition from China.

The United Arab Emirates plans to double its ability to export crude oil by bypassing the Strait of Hormuz by 2027. According to the Emirates’ press service posted on social network X, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is completing construction of a pipeline that will connect oil fields to the port of Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman.

China and the US announced the biggest aircraft deal of recent years: Beijing agreed to buy airplanes from Boeing after negotiations between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. But instead of the expected surge, shares of the American aircraft manufacturer went down sharply – investors considered the contract too modest.

In the period from 14 to 17 May, the capital of the Republic of Moldova is hosting the XXX international specialized exhibition HORECA EXPO 2026.

US President Donald Trump has said that Washington and Beijing managed to strike several significant trade deals during his visit to China.

The European Parliament has banned the Georgian TV channel Imedi TV from accessing its building for one year. It is also reported that Moldova has denied accreditation to Imedi TV, Rustavi 2 and PosTV to cover the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Chisinau. It is noted that the Georgian Foreign Minister plans to participate in the session. In response to these decisions, Tbilisi criticized Strasbourg and Chisinau.

The European Parliament will award the Order of European Merit for the first time. This is a new award established on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration to recognize contributions to European integration and the protection of EU values. Among the first recipients are 13 prominent politicians, diplomats and public figures, including President Maia Sandu, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Polish President Lech Wałęsa.

Ukraine and Moldova have signed five international certificates, which open new opportunities for exporting Ukrainian products and simplify the access of Ukrainian producers to the Moldovan market.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will send its staff to Ukraine in the coming weeks to check on progress in the implementation of economic reforms under the new 4-year, $8.1 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.

Since 2022, the total amount of support provided by the French Development Agency (AFD) to the Republic of Moldova has exceeded 300 million euros.