The World Trade Organization more than doubled its estimate for global merchandise trade growth in 2026, raising it from 1.9% to 3.9%. It said investment in artificial intelligence is expected to offset losses from the conflict in the Middle East.
The revised forecast was reported by The Globe and Mail. The WTO also expects global GDP to grow by 2.6% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027.
In September, the organization warned that global trade could fragment if current rules are not reformed, with the poorest countries facing the greatest impact. WTO analysts said existing arrangements are struggling to keep pace with shifts in economic power, the expansion of industrial policy and digital trade, and rising political tensions among major powers.