WTO Reports Surge in Goods Trade Driven by AI Investments and Increased US Imports

The World Trade Organization significantly upgraded its merchandise trade growth forecast for this year following a surprisingly strong initial half, buoyed by increased AI-related acquisitions, preemptive U.S. imports stemming from tariff apprehensions, and vigorous trade in the developing world. The Geneva-based organization announced on Tuesday that its economists now anticipate a 2.4% rise in goods trade this year, a notable increase from the 0.9% projection made in August. In April, WTO analysts even expected a decline of 0.2%. However, they revised their 2026 growth forecast downward to 0.5%, from an earlier 1.8%. Meanwhile, service exports are projected to rise by 4.6% in 2025 and 4.4% next year, both figures reflecting a slowdown from 2024’s 6.8%. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that strong demand for AI-related products and increased trade among emerging economies mitigated trade challenges, despite the ongoing turbulence. (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)