Energy infrastructure

The governments of Saudi Arabia and Syria conclude an unprecedented partnership covering oil, gas, electricity interconnection and renewable energies, with the aim of boosting their exchanges and investments in the energy sector.
The European commitment to purchase $250bn of American energy annually raises questions about its technical and economic feasibility in light of limited export capacity.

The European Union and the United States conclude a 15% tariff agreement on trade

A major customs agreement sealed in Scotland sets a 15% tariff on most European exports to the United States, accompanied by significant energy purchase commitments and cross-investments between the two powers.
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Qatar has warned that it could stop its liquefied natural gas deliveries to the European Union in response to the new European directive on due diligence and climate transition.
The Brazilian mining sector is drawing US attention as diplomatic discussions and tariff measures threaten to disrupt the balance of strategic minerals trade.

Trump threatens tariffs on Russian oil, but Reuters says enforcement unlikely

Donald Trump has raised the prospect of tariffs on countries buying Russian crude, but according to Reuters, enforcement remains unlikely due to economic risks and unfulfilled past threats.
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Afghanistan and Turkmenistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their bilateral partnership during a meeting between officials from both countries, with a particular focus on major infrastructure projects and energy cooperation.
The European Union lowers the price cap on Russian crude oil and extends sanctions to vessels and entities involved in circumvention, as coordination with the United States remains pending.

Brasilia Prepares Trade Countermeasures Amid New U.S. Tariffs of 50%

Brazil adopts new rules allowing immediate commercial measures to counter the U.S. decision to impose an exceptional 50% customs tariff on all Brazilian exports, threatening stability in bilateral trade valued at billions of dollars.
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Several international agencies have echoed warnings by Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission, about commercial risks related to Chinese competition, emphasizing the EU's refusal to engage in a price war.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lends €400 million to JSC Energocom to diversify Moldova's gas and electricity supply, historically dependent on Russian imports via Ukraine.

BRICS Launch Their Own Climate Finance Framework and Reject CBAM

BRICS adopt a joint financial framework aimed at supporting emerging economies while criticizing European carbon border tax mechanisms, deemed discriminatory and risky for their strategic trade relations.
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The European Commission is launching an alliance with member states and industrial players to secure the supply of critical chemicals, amid growing competition from the United States and China.
Trade between Russia and Saudi Arabia grew by over 60% in 2024 to surpass USD 3.8 billion, according to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, who outlined new avenues for industrial cooperation.

BRICS Advocate for Energy Market Stability Amid Sanctions

Meeting in Rio, BRICS nations urge global energy market stability, openly condemning Western sanctions and tariff mechanisms in a tense economic and geopolitical context.
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Despite strong ties, Iran's dependence on oil revenues limits its ability to secure substantial strategic support from Russia and China amid current international and regional crises, according to several experts.
Egypt’s Electricity Minister engages in new talks with Envision Group, Windey, LONGi, China Energy, PowerChina, and ToNGWEI to boost local industry and attract investments in renewable energy.

Hormuz Threat: Producing Countries Face an Imminent Diplomatic Crisis

The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz places Gulf producers under intense pressure, highlighting their diplomatic and logistical limitations as a blockage threatens 20 million daily barrels of hydrocarbons destined for global markets.
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Budapest and Bratislava jointly reject the European Commission's proposal to ban Russian energy supplies, highlighting significant economic risks and a direct threat to their energy security, days ahead of a key meeting.
Libya officially contests Greece's allocation of offshore oil permits, exacerbating regional tensions over disputed maritime areas south of Crete, rich in hydrocarbons and contested by several Mediterranean states.
Brussels aims to persuade the G7 to reduce the Russian oil price cap to $50 per barrel, as part of negotiations on the next sanctions package targeting Moscow’s energy revenues.
After three years of separation post-Brexit, the United Kingdom and the European Union have announced their intention to examine conditions for the UK's reintegration into the European electricity market, aiming to optimize cross-border exchanges.

Morocco and the UAE seal a strategic agreement on energy and water

A structural partnership includes HVDC lines, natural gas power plants and desalination facilities, financed by a consortium including TAQA and Nareva.
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The BRICS denounce economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by Western countries, warning of their consequences on global energy markets, especially regarding supply chains and financial stability in the energy sector.
In Kenya, China is consolidating its dominant position in the energy sector through massive exports of clean technologies and major infrastructure contracts, as Nairobi accelerates its energy and industrial targets for 2030.

Iran resumes nuclear talks with Europe under mounting US pressure

Iranian officials met in Istanbul with the European trio to discuss the nuclear programme, as Washington threatens new sanctions in case of deadlock.
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The European Union has approved a new package of sanctions targeting 345 vessels suspected of helping Russia circumvent restrictions on crude oil and refined product exports.
Faced with the heavy debts of emerging countries, China is shifting its strategy in Africa, reducing massive loans in favour of targeted commercial investments as Western competition intensifies around clean energy technologies.

The EU Maintains Its Goal to Ban Russian Gas Imports, Even After a Potential Peace Deal

Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy, confirms that the EU will continue its ban on Russian gas imports, regardless of the outcome of peace negotiations in Ukraine, with legislative proposals expected in June.
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On May 13, energy ministers from Baltic Sea countries signed a new memorandum of understanding to reinforce interconnections and energy security amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Belgrade aims to retain favourable pricing terms for Russian gas imports as the current contract nears its May 31 deadline.

Trump aims for $1 trillion investment pact with Riyadh despite tensions

The US president begins a state visit to Saudi Arabia focused on an ambitious economic partnership, sidelining Saudi-Israeli normalisation due to the Gaza war.
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An agreement covering the exploitation of 57 types of natural resources is set for ratification by the Ukrainian Parliament, establishing a bilateral fund with Washington with no explicit military guarantees.
Russia positions itself as an active supporter of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, advocating for a balanced legal framework in line with international law.

Macron welcomes Berdymukhamedov in pursuit of gas deals with Turkmenistan

The French president hosts Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Paris to finalise economic agreements amid geopolitical rivalries over Central Asian gas resources.
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Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their energy partnership through several strategic projects, notably within the JETP and AZEC initiatives, aiming to sustainably structure Indonesia’s energy mix and support its infrastructure.
Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are investing in submarine interconnections to export their renewable electricity to European markets amid growing energy demand.

Tehran rejects French and US threats over its oil exports

Iran responded to threats of sanctions from the United States and France, denouncing what it sees as illegitimate political pressure and reaffirming its stance on the legality of its oil exports.
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The United States and Ukraine have established a joint fund to exploit Ukrainian natural resources, under a bilateral agreement with no explicit military commitments.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a bilateral agreement establishing an investment fund aimed at financing reconstruction and natural resource extraction projects on Ukrainian territory.