WTO raises trade growth forecast on AI boom

Thanks to supply chain adaptations and the surge in artificial intelligence investments, the World Trade Organization now projects 3.9 percent growth in the volume of merchandise trade this year, up from the 1.9 percent predicted in March.

Increased spending on semiconductors, data centres and digital infrastructure raised demand for imported AI-enabling goods, providing a significant boost to global goods trade.

Trade in semiconductors, servers and other equipment essential to AI surged by 67 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, accounting for 47 percent of global merchandise trade growth.