Published

WTO’s Trade Growth Indicator Drops

The World Trade Organization says growth in the global trade of merchandise will remain below trend through at least the third quarter of 2019.
#economics

Share

The World Trade Organization says growth in the global trade of merchandise will remain below trend through at least the third quarter of 2019.

WTO’s Goods Trade Barometer for July-September is 95.7 against a baseline value of 100. In May, the indicator was at 96.3. The index has been losing momentum since the third quarter of 2018.

The indicator is a composite of six drivers of trade that offers a real-time assessment of the trajectory of world trade. WTO says that index values for all components are below 100: electronic components (90.7), air freight (91.4), automotive products (93.5), raw materials (97.1), export orders (97.5) and container shipping (99.0).

WTO attributes the slower pace of growth to “historically high” trade restrictions and uncertainty. It cautions that the resulting tensions represent “significant downside risks” to trade forecasts.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Mazda, CARB and PSA North America: Car Talk

    The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars, an annual event, was held last week in Traverse City, Michigan.

  • Tariffs on Autos: “No One Wins”

    While talk of tariffs may make the president sound tough and which gives the talking heads on cable something to talk about, the impact of the potential 25 percent tariffs on vehicles imported to the U.S. could have some fairly significant consequences.

  • On Quantum Navigation, EVs, Auto Industry Sales and more

    Sandia’s quantum navi, three things about EVs, transporting iron ore in an EV during the winter, going underwater in an EV (OK, it is a sub), state of the UK auto industry (sad), why the Big Three likes Big Vehicles, and the future of logistics.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions