Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test

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Asian economies heavily dependent on imported energy are facing an even sharper squeeze after the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline removed a key escape route from the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, deepening an energy shock that has already pushed crude oil above US$100 a barrel.Analysts said the loss of that bypass would hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil...