WTO expects 4.4% growth in global trade in 2018

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) says world merchandise trade growth which posted its largest increase in six years in 2017 is expected to remain strong in 2018 and 2019.

The anticipated merchandise trade volume growth of 4.4 per cent in 2018, as measured by the average of exports and imports, roughly matches the 4.7 per cent increase recorded for 2017, the WTO said last week, but its economists say continued expansion in trade depends on robust global economic growth and governments pursuing appropriate monetary, fiscal and especially trade policies.

According to the WTO, growth is expected to moderate to 4.0 per cent in 2019, below the average rate of 4.8 per cent since 1990 but still firmly above the post-crisis average of 3.0 per cent. 

“However, there are signs that escalating trade tensions may already be affecting business confidence and investment decisions, which could compromise the current outlook,” it warned.

The WTO further notes that trade volume growth in 2017, the strongest since 2011, was driven mainly by cyclical factors, particularly increased investment and consumption expenditure.

It adds that looking at the situation in value terms, growth rates in current US dollars in 2017 (10.7 per cent for merchandise exports, 7.4 per cent for commercial services exports) were even stronger, reflecting both increasing quantities and rising prices. Merchandise trade volume growth in 2017 may also have been inflated somewhat by the weakness of trade over the previous two years, which provided a lower base for the current expansion, it states.

The WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, was quoted as saying; “The strong trade growth that we are seeing today will be vital for continued economic growth and recovery and to support job creation. However this important progress could be quickly undermined if governments resort to restrictive trade policies, especially in a tit-for-tat process that could lead to an unmanageable escalation. A cycle of retaliation is the last thing the world economy needs. The pressing trade problems confronting WTO Members is best tackled through collective action. I urge governments to show restraint and settle their differences through dialogue and serious engagement.”

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi