15.06.2026 – "The announced agreement between the USA and Iran could pave the way for one of the world trade’s most critical arteries to reopen soon. The past months have demonstrated the vulnerability of global supply chains and energy markets to geopolitical escalations. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important trade and energy routes worldwide.

For businesses, the priority now is for the passage to be usable again quickly, safely, and reliably without restrictions like fees. This is equally valid for other strategic maritime routes, where ensuring unhindered navigability is a cornerstone of stable supply chains and international trade. Europe should work with its partners to keep these trade routes open and prevent export bans on critical goods like energy, raw materials, food, or medicine.

For many German companies, reduced energy and transport costs, as well as greater planning reliability for supply chains, would be a much-needed signal. Initial reactions on the commodity markets illustrate just how critical de-escalation is for global economic development. 

What matters now is that the agreed settlement holds and that the announced negotiations quickly lead to robust and reliable solutions. Businesses need above all stability, legal certainty, and open trade routes. Any further escalation would once again exacerbate the already high burdens on the economy.

The positive news of today does not replace the lessons of recent weeks: In an increasingly fragmented global economy, the ability to switch to alternative markets, suppliers, and transport routes is becoming ever more of a competitive factor."