The World Trade Organization released its latest global trade outlook report on the 8th. Due to supply chain adjustments and strong investment in artificial intelligence, global trade in goods is expected to grow by 3.9% in 2026, higher than the 1.9% forecast in March, and is expected to grow by 4.1% in 2027. The report also shows that due to the impact of the war in the Middle East on transportation and international travel, global trade in services is expected to grow by 3.3% in 2026, lower than the 4.8% forecast in March, and 6.4% in 2027. WTO Director General Ivira said that in the face of shocks, an integrated world economy and a rules-based trading system provided flexibility for economies, so that necessities could continue to flow to businesses and households that needed them. However, she also pointed out that not all economies can seize new opportunities such as artificial intelligence, so it is necessary to ensure that a rules-based trading system can continue to withstand shocks and bridge gaps, so that opportunities can be shared. The report shows that in the first half of this year, global trade in goods increased by 3.5%, exceeding expectations, indicating that the supply chain is capable of coping with the impact of the Middle East war on the energy, fertilizer and transportation markets. At the same time, demand for artificial intelligence was strong, and trade in AI-related commodities such as semiconductors and servers increased 67% year over year, and the growth rate was further accelerated compared to 2024 and 2025.

The World Trade Organization released its latest global trade outlook report on the 8th. Due to supply chain adjustments and strong investment in artificial intelligence, global trade in goods is expected to grow by 3.9% in 2026, higher than the 1.9% forecast in March, and is expected to grow by 4.1% in 2027. The report also shows that due to the impact of the war in the Middle East on transportation and international travel, global trade in services is expected to grow by 3.3% in 2026, lower than the 4.8% forecast in March, and 6.4% in 2027. WTO Director General Ivira said that in the face of shocks, an integrated world economy and a rules-based trading system provided flexibility for economies, so that necessities could continue to flow to businesses and households that needed them. However, she also pointed out that not all economies can seize new opportunities such as artificial intelligence, so it is necessary to ensure that a rules-based trading system can continue to withstand shocks and bridge gaps, so that opportunities can be shared. The report shows that in the first half of this year, global trade in goods increased by 3.5%, exceeding expectations, indicating that the supply chain is capable of coping with the impact of the Middle East war on the energy, fertilizer and transportation markets. At the same time, demand for artificial intelligence was strong, and trade in AI-related commodities such as semiconductors and servers increased 67% year over year, and the growth rate was further accelerated compared to 2024 and 2025.