WTO raises merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9% as AI boom offsets hit from Middle East
· Source: indiashippingnews.com
In short
The World Trade Organization more than doubled its 2026 merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9%, up from 1.9% projected in spring, crediting booming AI-related investment for offsetting disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. WTO said demand for AI-enabling goods such as semiconductors and servers accounted for 47% of global merchandise trade growth in the first half of 2026, with trade in those products up 67% year-on-year. The body forecast 4.1% growth for 2027, while warning that higher energy prices and disrupted transport routes linked to the Middle East conflict will continue to weigh on trade.
Read Original Article — Read the full article on the publisher’s site.
In the issue of week 41, 2026: AI Moves Supply Chains From Planning Toward Execution, But Data and Capacity Set the Pace
Tags: trade, forecasting, supply-chain, semiconductors, WTO