Reuters: Oil prices climb on robust China data, Mideast tension

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday as data from China showed the world's second largest oil consumer's import growth surging and on tensions in the Middle East after the Yemen-based Houthi movement said it fired missiles on Saudi oil sites.

Brent crude oil futures were up 31 cents, or 0.5%, at $63.59 a barrel by 0356 GMT while U.S. crude oil futures gained 28 cents, or 0.5%, to $59.98 a barrel, as reported by Reuters.

Read alsoGas stocks shrink by 1.8% to 15.6 bcm over weekChina's exports grew at a robust pace in March in yet another boost to the nation's economic recovery as global demand picks up amid progress in worldwide COVID-19 vaccinations, while import growth surged to the highest in four years.

Crude oil imports into China also jumped 21% in March from a low base of comparison a year earlier as refiners ramped up operation amid robust fuel demand as the COVID-19 pandemic eased.

More news reports

• U.S. mulls special envoy to kill Nord Stream 2
• Reuters: Oil prices climb on favourable outlook for U.S. fuel demand
• Ukraine must regain leadership in aerospace industry – Zelensky