Economic Cooperation Attempts between Sweden and Romania (1939–1944)

Abstract

During the Second World War, both Sweden and Romania tried to balance their economies despite pressure from the Great Powers. The progression of war made a closer collaboration between these two nations possible, increasing their trade. This article aims to follow the evolution of Swedish-Romanian economic relations between 1940–1944, identify successful businesses and highlight the challenges faced during this period. The main difficulties that impeded the Swedish-Romanian economic cooperation were Germany’s refusal to issue transit licenses, Romanian anarchic trade practices and the inefficiency of the clearing system. The most significant event would be the signing of the first trade treaty between Sweden and Romania on 5 May 1943.

Keywords

• trade
• Second World War
• Sweden
• Romania
• Germany
• war economy