Global trade growth to slow to 1.9% this year, Middle East conflict poses downside risk: WTO

The forecast for global trade this year is less optimistic, as the World Trade Organization projects an increase of merely 1.9 percent in merchandise trade. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East could exacerbate these challenges. Last year's growth was markedly influenced by the surge in AI-related goods and a strategic approach to preloading inventory to circumvent tariffs.