WTO raises merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9% as AI boom offsets hit from Middle East

The World Trade Organization (WTO), based in Geneva, has sharply increased its global merchandise trade growth forecast for the year, more than doubling its previous prediction to 3.9%.

The upward revision is primarily driven by booming artificial intelligence (AI) investments worldwide. These technological investments have successfully offset negative economic impacts resulting from the ongoing war in the Middle East.