Welthandel: WTO korrigiert Wachstumsaussichten deutlich nach oben
2026 ist ein konflikreiches Jahr. Mit der Straße von Hormus war eine der Lebensadern des Welthandels zeitweise dicht. Doch am Ende fällt die Handels-Bilanz laut WTO überraschend positiv aus.
Geneva - Global trade has grown more than initially anticipated this year, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The organization has raised its forecast for merchandise trade growth from 1.9 percent to 3.9 percent. The primary driver is the surge in investments in artificial intelligence, particularly in the first half of 2026. Semiconductor, data centers, and digital infrastructure demand have been responsible for most of the global trade growth during this period.
While the trade is affected by the Middle East conflict, which temporarily blocked the Hormuz Straits, the WTO claims the KI boom will more than balance this impact. For 2027, the WTO expects a 4.1 percent increase in merchandise trade. Last year, global trade growth was 4.6 percent. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that the figures demonstrate the resilience of trade in practice.
The increase in the forecast is a sign that global supply chains have adapted to disruptions in the energy and fertilizers markets.
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