Oil edges higher, but recession fears and tariffs limit gains

Oil price

NEW YORK: Oil prices rose less than 1% on Tuesday, helped by weakness in the dollar, although gains were capped as concerns mounted over a U.S. slowdown and the impact of tariffs on global economic growth. Brent crude futures rose 56 cents, or 0.8%, to $69.84 a barrel by 10:43 a.m. EDT (1423 GMT) after falling as low as $68.63 in early trade. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 53 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.56 a barrel after previous declines as well. Both benchmarks closed 1.5% lower in the…

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Brent hits 6-month low on OPEC+ output increase

Oil falls

NEW YORK: Oil prices fell to multi-month lows on Tuesday after reports of OPEC+ plans to proceed with output increase in April while further price pressure was applied by US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China as well as Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs. Brent futures were down $1.50, or 2.1%, at $70.12 a barrel by 11:10 a.m. EST (1610 GMT). The session low was $69.75 a barrel, its lowest since September. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was off $1.19 a barrel, or 1.7%, at $67.18. The benchmark previously dropped to…

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Oil drops $2 after US crude stock build, OPEC+ output increase, Trump tariffs

Oil falls

HOUSTON: Oil prices declined for a third day on Wednesday after US crude oil stocks posted a larger-than-expected build, adding a further headwind as investors worried about OPEC+ plans to proceed with output increases in April, and US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico escalated trade tensions. Brent futures fell $2.19, or 3.1%, to $68.85 a barrel by 10:49 a.m. EST (1549 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined $2.55, or 3.7%, to $65.71 a barrel. US crude stocks rose more than expected, while gasoline and…

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OPEC February oil output rises as Iran exports keep flowing

OPEC-Project

LONDON: OPEC oil output rose in February, a Reuters survey found, as Iranian exports held strong, despite renewed U.S. attempts to curb the flows, and Nigeria boosted output above its target within the wider OPEC+ group. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 26.74 million barrels per day last month, up 170,000 bpd from January’s revised total, the survey showed on Wednesday, with Iran and Nigeria posting the largest gains. OPEC+, which includes OPEC plus Russia and other allies, is keeping production cuts in place through March due to expectations of…

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China’s Two Sessions and it’s impact on Pakistan-China relations

Pakistan-China relations

Pakistan views China’s Two Sessions —the annual gatherings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)—as a pivotal event for the future of bilateral cooperation. These sessions provide Pakistan with key insights into China’s economic, regional and global priorities, which directly have the positive impact on the trajectory of the China-Pakistan relationship, especially within the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Each Two Sessions meeting concentrates on three main strategic priorities that China aims to achieve: economic growth, social harmony and international strategic…

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