Fuel: risk of price rises at the pump due to the Middle East conflict.

In the Three Borders, the price of fuel is a particularly sensitive indicator. Many cross-border workers adapt their habits to price differences between France, Luxembourg and Germany.

However, any major tension in the Middle East, particularly around Iran, can affect the price of crude oil.

A direct economic mechanism

The price of fuel depends to a large extent on:

• the price of a barrel of oil
• refining costs
• national taxes

When the price per barrel rises, this gradually feeds through to prices at the pump.

A particularly affected region.

In the Three Borders, journeys to work are often daily and cross-border. A lasting rise in fuel prices could affect:

• household budgets
• small local businesses
• the transport sector

Drivers are therefore closely following international geopolitical developments, aware that decisions taken thousands of kilometres away can affect their daily lives.