American job market remains stable, warning of potential deterioration due to Middle East conflict

1. American job market remains stable: The number of new jobless claims in the United States decreased this week, amid ongoing low layoffs, hinting at a stable job market in March 2026. However, economists caution of the risk of deterioration linked to prolonged conflict in the Middle East. According to the US Department of Labor, initial jobless claims dropped by 9,000 to 202,000 (seasonally adjusted data) for the week ending March 28. This figure is lower than the 212,000 forecasted by economists in a previous survey.

2. Cooperation between IMF, World Bank, and IEA to address economic challenges related to Middle East conflict: The IMF, World Bank, and IEA have released a statement committing to close cooperation to confront the serious economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. In a joint statement issued on April 1, leaders of the three major international organizations affirmed their commitment to sharing data, harmonizing recommendations, and mobilizing necessary resources to support the hardest-hit countries. They note that the conflict’s impact is spreading globally, with energy importers and low-income countries being severely affected.

3. Experts predict a significant increase in global rice prices: Concerns over conflicts related to Iran raise worries about a possible surge in global rice prices in the near future, due to disruptions in fertilizer supply and rising energy costs directly impacting production in many Asian countries. According to Jean-René Cuzon, head of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Biodiversity Directorate at the French Development Agency (AFD), the risk of a rise in global rice prices in the coming months is “very worrying”. The main reason is the disruption in maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and fertilizer exports from the Middle East.

7. Bitcoin falls as US hints at military escalation in the Middle East: Cryptocurrencies experienced a general decline during Asian trading on April 2, after President Donald Trump suggested a firmer military action against Iran could be imminent in the coming weeks. This drop follows President Trump’s remarks, dashing hopes of a quick end to the Middle East conflict. Bitcoin demand has been under pressure since the price decline in October 2025. As of now, the price of bitcoin is still about 45% lower than its record high of over $126,000/BTC reached in October 2025.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/diem-tin-kinh-te-the-gioi-noi-bat-ngay-242026-20260402214509677.htm