Latest news with #merchandisetrade
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Merchandise trade volume growth stronger than expected in Q1 2025, says WTO report
GENEVA (Reuters) -The volume of world merchandise trade grew more than forecast in the first quarter of 2025 from the previous three months, but growth is expected to slow, a new World Trade Organization report said on Tuesday. The volume of world merchandise trade rose by 3.6% in the first quarter of 2025 from the previous quarter and 5.3% year-on-year, due to a surge of imports in North America ahead of expected higher tariffs in the United States, the WTO report showed. "Merchandise trade volume growth in the first quarter was stronger than the WTO's most recent forecast, but WTO economists expect the pace of expansion to slow later in the year as fully stocked inventories and higher tariffs weigh on import demand," the report said. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner', not just a ‘superconnector'
Hong Kong should ensure it acts as a 'value partner' in addition to its role as a 'superconnector' between mainland China and the rest of the world, rather than a mere facilitator of connections, according to experts including the city's former commerce chief. Speaking at the South China Morning Post 2025 China Conference themed 'Where Capital Meets Innovation' on Tuesday, the former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said Hong Kong should not merely aim to 'connect the dots'. 'What we do to secure Hong Kong's position as described by the chief executive and all the previous leaders is we must bring value, and the value is not just gold plating, but also to create a dependable partnership that could join things together,' he said. 'Hong Kong must enter into the game of building this partnership.' Another speaker, Patrick Lau Hui-ping, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council said the city had remained resilient in merchandise trade despite external pressures. He highlighted that exports from the mainland, channelled through Hong Kong, had seen their global market share increase from 12 per cent to around 14 per cent, even after initial tariffs were imposed.
Wall Street Journal
03-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Canada Goods Trade Deficit Narrows as Flows With U.S. Continue to Slacken
OTTAWA—Canadian exports to the U.S. continued to slump in May, sandbagged by shifting tariffs and Washington's mercurial trade policy, while shipments to other countries rose and hit fresh highs. Weak demand in the U.S. for Canadian goods and weak imports by Canadians helped narrow the country's merchandise-trade deficit in May to 5.86 billion Canadian dollars, the equivalent of about $4.31 billion, Statistics Canada said Thursday. That figure came off a peak C$7.60 billion deficit in April that was upwardly revised.
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran-Israel Tensions Threaten Global Trade, Energy Security
The intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel is raising serious concerns over the safety of global trade routes and energy supplies. As the situation escalates, analysts warn of severe repercussions for the global economy, particularly if strategic maritime passages like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are compromised. Experts highlight that any disruption to these chokepoints - through which a significant portion of the world's oil and gas flows - could send shockwaves through international markets. Rising insurance premiums, increased shipping costs, and a potential surge in energy prices are among the immediate risks. Such instability could accelerate global inflation and weaken already fragile economic growth, especially as major economies face tariff-related pressures and slowing demand. According to Dr. Fawaz Al-Alamy, a specialist in international trade, the continuing geopolitical unrest is likely to slow global trade growth by over 7% in 2025 and 2026. Sea freight, which carries about 90% of global trade, is particularly vulnerable. Dr. Al-Alamy also points to revised forecasts from major institutions, with trade growth now expected to drop to 2.9% in 2025 and possibly lower in 2026. The Gulf region, which last year ranked sixth globally in merchandise trade, faces specific challenges. The Strait of Hormuz alone handled over 25% of global seaborne oil and 20% of LNG shipments in 2024 and early 2025. A disruption here would hit Asian markets hardest, as China, India, Japan, and South Korea together receive nearly 70% of Gulf crude exports. The United States also imports around 500,000 barrels per day from the Gulf via Hormuz, about 7% of its total crude imports. A supply interruption could double oil prices and drive maritime shipping costs up by 60%, leading to slower global growth, reminiscent of post-COVID economic conditions. Still, Al-Alamy sees potential for regional cooperation. Gulf states could invest in alternative export routes through the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, and strengthen trade ties with Asia, Africa, and Europe. Logistics and tech investments may also help the region emerge as a global trade hub.
Reuters
16-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India trade deficit in May at $21.88 billion
NEW DELHI, June 16 (Reuters) - India's merchandise trade deficit (INTRD=ECI), opens new tab in May narrowed to $21.88 billion, according to government data released on Monday. India's May trade deficit was lower than the $25 billion expected by economists in a Reuters poll, and also below April's deficit of $26.42 billion. Goods exports stood at $38.73 billion in May while imports were $60.61 billion, compared with $38.49 billion of exports and $64.91 billion of imports in April. Meanwhile, the trade in services showed an estimated surplus of $14.65 billion in May, as services exports rose to an estimated $32.39 billion while imports increased to $17.14 billion, Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters.
