Watch Desk posted an update
The World Trade Organization has raised its 2026 merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9 per cent from 1.9 per cent, with an AI-driven surge helping offset disruption in the Middle East, the South China Morning Post reports. The forecast is a useful signal of AI’s reach beyond technology firms: demand is showing up in the outlook for global goods trade.
Why it mattersThe WTO’s chief economist called the resilience of merchandise trade surprising, the report says. Read the South China Morning Post report.
Discuss: Does AI demand look like a durable trade driver, or could the forecast be riding a short-lived boom?
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