Majority of Finnish exporters report impact from Mideast conflict

More than half of Finnish export companies estimate that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will affect their business operations, according to a survey released on Thursday by the Finland Chamber of Commerce, reported Xinhua.

The survey found that the tensions are mainly disrupting delivery schedules, transport routes and logistics costs.

About 56 percent of Finnish export companies said the conflict is already affecting their operations. Most firms, however, expect the disruption to be temporary. Around 53 percent of respondents said they are preparing for short-term disruptions, while fewer than 18 percent believe the situation could lead to longer-term disturbances.

"Even if the disruption caused by the current situation in the region is short-lived, uncertainty in the international operating environment has increased significantly," said Päivi Pohjanheimo, director of international affairs at the Finland Chamber of Commerce.

She added that the situation is increasing business risks and making long-term planning more difficult.

The survey also revealed broad pessimism among Finnish exporters about the global business climate. Nearly 87 percent of respondent companies said the international operating environment is affecting their outlook negatively or very negatively, while only 10 percent said the global situation has no impact on their business prospects.

The survey further indicated that the hard-line and unpredictable trade policy of the United States is undermining Finnish companies' confidence.

Roughly one-third of respondents said they were skeptical about the United States as a reliable trade partner, while 14 percent said the importance of the U.S. market was declining.

Pohjanheimo noted that the burden of U.S. tariffs has largely fallen on importing companies and American consumers. She added that persistent uncertainty over tariff interpretation means relocating production or operations to the United States is not a realistic option for most surveyed companies.

The survey was conducted from March 5 to March 10, 2026, among 116 export companies across Finland.