International trade
Amid US President Donald Trump’s predictions about the imminent completion of the active phase of the operation against Iran, oil prices fell by 6.5%. Brent futures fell to $92.45 per barrel and US WTI to $88.65. He sees the temporary rise in oil prices as a small price to pay for security.
The European Union is facing new challenges to its food safety system due to agri-food products imported from Mercosur countries. Recently, European Commissioners identified more than 80 tons of beef from Brazil containing growth hormones.
Lithuania will provide Moldova with 6 million euros of military assistance in 2026-2028. This was announced by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda after a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who is in Lithuania on an official visit.
The blockage of the Gulf of Hormuz provoked a rise in the price of oil, gas and, along the chain, nitrogen fertilizers (by about 15-20% – depending on the geography of markets).
This is about the Al-Ruwais industrial complex. A fire broke out on its territory due to a drone attack. This refinery is the fourth largest in the world in terms of production capacity and the largest in the UAE, Logos Press reported citing RBC.
The volume of international transfers of major arms worldwide grew by 9.2% between 2016-2020 and 2021-2025. At the same time, European countries more than tripled their arms imports, becoming the largest recipient region.
In the period from January to February 2026, the state budget received revenues managed by the Customs Service (TM RM) in the amount of 5,828,285.41 thousand lei (more than 5.82 billion lei), which is 103.9% of the budgetary burden set for this period.
French automobile concern Renault has announced large-scale plans to update the model range: by the end of the decade the company intends to introduce 36 new cars. This is stated in the official message of the manufacturer.
Moldova has developed a draft law that will regulate the secondment of workers abroad to provide transnational services within Moldova and the EU. It includes their labor conditions, as well as requirements for remuneration, expenses, etc. The new law will include the provisions of the relevant European directives. It will become effective at the moment of Moldova’s accession to the EU.
Despite rising climate risks, production and logistics costs, as well as agricultural restructuring and changing consumer preferences, European horticulture is showing resilience and adaptability.
China started 2026 with unexpectedly strong foreign trade figures. According to the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, the country’s exports in January-February grew by 21.8% year-on-year, significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations and becoming the fastest growth rate in recent years.
Aramco, the world’s top oil company, said Tuesday that the conflict with Iran continues to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which could have “catastrophic consequences” for global oil markets.
In February 2026, Moldova exported just over 11 thousand tons of apples. This is about 500 tons more than in the previous month. But 2 thousand tons less than in February of the previous year.
US President Donald Trump has said the US-Israeli operation against Iran will end soon.
The government and importers of petroleum products have analyzed several options and mechanisms that could be applied to ensure that a possible price increase would be “gradual” and would not have a drastic impact on consumers.
A complete ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia by EU countries will come into force on January 1, 2027. In the meantime, Europeans are actively buying Russian LNG.
The conflict in the Middle East has begun to have a noticeable impact on global apparel supply chains. Due to airspace closures and flight cancellations, many shipments from South Asia have been blocked at airports, creating serious problems for manufacturers and international retailers.
No EU country has tapped its strategic oil reserves because of the escalation in the Middle East, European Commission spokeswoman Ana Kaiza Itkonen told a briefing on Monday.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, police officers and firefighters may be left without fuel for their vehicles,” said Democrația Acasă faction MP Sergiu Stefanco, a member of the Agriculture and Food Industry Commission. He insists on an urgent state of emergency in the energy sector.
The EU and Canada have started negotiations on the so-called Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) amid Europe’s conflict with the US over digital regulation.
