The Strategist
The Strategist

Global trade grows by 3.5% quarter-on-quarter in January-March



05/25/2026 - 10:43



According to a report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (CPB) of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, global trade volumes rose by 3.5% from the previous quarter in the first quarter of 2026, despite military activities in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.



Global trade grows by 3.5% quarter-on-quarter in January-March
The report indicates that the expansion of international trade was primarily fueled by the AI industry. An increase in investment in computing capabilities and related infrastructure resulted in a rise in global shipments of servers and semiconductor products, mostly produced in Asia.

As per CPB, Japan's exports increased by 3% from the previous quarter in January-March, whereas China's exports rose by 11.3%. Simultaneously, imports of goods into the US rose by 6.3% during that timeframe.

The UN predicts that worldwide trade will expand by 1.5-2.5% this year, after a 4.7% rise in 2025. The World Trade Organization thinks that growth might hit 3% if the AI boom exceeds expectations.

source: reuters.com