A whiff of instability would spread panic in the oil market.

一丝丝不稳定都会将恐慌迅速传遍整个石油市场。

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China's attempt to acquire an American oil company in 2005 and Dubai Ports' bid to operate six big harbours in 2006 were met with panic.

2005年中国收购一家美国石油公司的努力，以及2006年迪拜港口世界投标六大港口，都让老美坐不住了。

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Meanwhile, oil buyers were beginning to panic.

与此同时，石油买主们开始感到恐慌。

youdao

As a consequence, the speculative panic over the implications for the oil market prompted simultaneous stock-building by Western governments and companies.

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Traders returned to panic mode on Tuesday in response to the rising price of oil and the growing uncertainty in what is now being referred to as MENA (Middle East, North Africa).

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If the world oil supply peaked one day and then fell away sharply, prices would indeed rocket, shortages and panic buying would wreak havoc and a global recession would ensue.

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