GENEVA --The World Trade Organization (WTO) reported on June 26 that global goods trade rose slightly in early 2025, with its Goods Trade Barometer climbing to 103.5 from 102.8 in March, indicating above-trend activity. The increase was attributed to importers rushing purchases ahead of expected tariff hikes.
Despite the current uptick, the WTO warned of weaker growth in the coming months, as its new export orders index dropped to 97.9, signaling a potential slowdown.
The WTO maintained a near-flat full-year forecast of just 0.1 percent growth in global merchandise trade, citing uncertainty from U.S. tariff policies. It also cautioned that trade volumes may contract if reciprocal tariffs are revived or global trade policy uncertainty worsens. / XINHUA