OPEC+ announced plans to continue to increase oil production, but allowed the possibility of changing this decision in the near future if economic conditions seem unfavorable. At last week's meeting it was agreed to increase production by 400 thousand bpd in January. Market participants were inclined to expect that the alliance would not take such a step now, when oil prices are falling amid the spread of a new strain of coronavirus. However, Saudi Arabia is under pressure from the United States and a number of other countries - key importers of raw materials - to avoid shortages and a surge in prices. The OPEC+ decision may be due to a reluctance to exacerbate relations with the United States, which are already strained enough. Nevertheless, the alliance stressed that it can change its decision at any moment. As one of its participants, Angolan Minister Diamantino Azevedo, noted, in view of the instability caused by a new kind of coronavirus, it is very important that the alliance act prudently and proactively in response to economic risks.