News about International trade
The European Union remains Moldova’s key financial partner, providing more than 72% of direct foreign investments, about 59% of external grants and more than 19% of the country’s external loans. This was stated by IDIS Viitorul expert Veaceslav Ionita.
Yesterday, May 8, Europe celebrated Victory Day, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. The act of unconditional surrender of Germany came into force on May 8, 1945 at 23:01 Central European time, when the clock in Moscow was already on May 9. The attitude to this day varies in the countries of Europe.
The beauty industry has found a new audience where no one has looked before – in the Formula 1 paddock. While motorsport has been associated for decades with oil giants, watch brands and energy companies, Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury and LVMH have all hit the tracks in 2026. The reason is simple: women have become one of the fastest growing segments of the championship’s audience.
A Chinese company that produces festive fireworks for the U.S. market has reported an increase in interest in its products amid preparations for U.S. Independence Day celebrations and Donald Trump’s expected visit to China.
On the eve of the new marketing season, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) recalls the success of Moldovan fruits on the EU market.
US efforts to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have reached a dead end, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni.
“Accession is not only a technical process, it is also a political commitment. As we move forward in this process, I want to assure you that Transnistria will not be an obstacle to Moldova’s European future,” European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said in Chisinau at a joint press conference with President Maia Sandu.
Global food prices in April reached the highest level in more than three years. The main driver of food inflation was a sharp rise in the price of vegetable oils triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) has set new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect from May 9-11.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the medium-term outlook for the natural gas industry is likely to last longer than previously thought. The conflict with Iran has already led to a loss of about 120 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas between 2026 and 2030, Gergely Molnar, an IEA expert, said Thursday.
The European Commission has stepped up coordination with member states in response to the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch luxury cruise ship bound for Spain, while insisting the risk to the public remains “low”.
According to market analysts, published in an interview with CNBC, the growth of gold and silver prices may resume if a peace agreement is reached between the U.S. and Iran. During the conflict, gold price fluctuations have been subdued, moving in opposite directions to fluctuations in oil prices and the U.S. dollar. However, gold and silver market growth will resume this year as momentum forces resume.
Baku is preparing to host one of the most prestigious global platforms on urban planning and sustainable development. The capital of Azerbaijan will host the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17 to 22, 2026. According to the Organizing Committee, more than 28,000 participants from 177 countries have already registered for the Forum, of which about half are foreign delegates.
There is a positive trend in the number of the Jewish population in Moldova, including the tendency of citizens returning to the country. This was stated by the Director of the Agency for Interethnic Relations, Veaceslav Ryabchinsky, during an official meeting with Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Combating Anti-Semitism.
RETN, a leading independent global network service provider, announced the launch of a new end-to-end backbone route connecting Drobeta, Bucharest, Iasi and Chisinau. The route, a single continuous backbone, provides a new option for physical connectivity throughout Romania and Moldova, creating an alternative to existing regional IP backhaul corridors in Eastern Europe.
Despite strong pressure from the US, EU negotiators have not reached an agreement on how to implement the duty deal. It was struck by Brussels and Washington almost a year ago. Trump is annoyed.
Apricot production this year in Europe is expected to be 505 thousand tons. That is, about 6% more compared to last year’s figure (476 thousand tons). However, the 2026 crop will probably be lower than in 2024 (563 thousand tons).
Turkey will play a key role in gas supplies to Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans this summer, strengthening its position as a regional logistics center. The country is increasingly importing gas and LNG amid ambitions to become a gas hub. And it seems to be succeeding against the backdrop of anti-Russian sanctions and the energy crisis.
The United States Department of Justice has launched an investigation into suspicious bets on oil futures ahead of news of a war with Iran. Traders made such transactions totaling $2.6 billion amid a periodic spike in trading activity in the oil market shortly before important announcements about the situation around Iran.
The Government of Kazakhstan decided to prolong temporary restrictions on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel and other fuels and lubricants. The corresponding order was signed by the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan. As follows from the document, “these measures are aimed at protecting the domestic market and preventing fuel shortages in the country”.
