November 8, 2025 UPDATE (1)
A roundup of local and world news
Vlad Palcu, 08.11.2025, 16:00
UNITED STATES – TROOPS IN ROMANIA
American troops will remain stationed in Romania, though some adjustments will be made in troop rotation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters.
The statement came after President Donald Trump was asked during a White House press briefing about reports of a partial withdrawal of US troops from Romania.
“Nothing was uncoordinated with the White House. Everything is part of our vision for Europe. Troops will remain in Romania, but there will be some adjustments”, Hegseth said, after being invited by President Trump to clarify the matter.
“No, they’re not ignoring anything I say. What they’re doing is making changes, moving them around. It’s the same number, the same total, but we’re relocating people,” Trump explained. “I like the Romanian people — I think they’re wonderful,” he added, assuring that “Relations with Romania are very good, and relations with Europe are very good”.
SEIZED CONTRABAND
Over 180 million contraband cigarettes have been seized by Romanian authorities in the first ten months of this year, over three times the total amount confiscated in 2024, according to data provided by the Border Police.
The value of the confiscated goods is estimated to stand at over 170 million lei (approximately €34 million). The counties of Suceava (northeast), Constanţa (southeast), and Timiş (west) top the list of areas with the largest volumes of cigarette captures destined for illicit trafficking this year.
According to specialized research, the black market for cigarettes in Romania reached 12% of total consumption in July 2025, the highest level recorded in the past five years, before stabilizing at 9.6% in October, compared to an annual average of 9% in 2024.
The rise in this phenomenon is attributed to the intensification of trade flows following Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, free movement, significant price differences in tobacco products between neighboring countries, declining local purchasing power, and the repeated increases in taxation levels.
