Trade continued expanding through the second half of 2025, even as geopolitical tensions, higher costs and uneven global demand slowed momentum, the agency said. If current projections hold, global trade in 2025 will see an increase of around 2.2 trillion USD, roughly 7% compared to 2024.
East Asia is expected to lead export growth with an increase of 9%, while intraregional trade is set to grow 10%. Africa and South–South trade also show strong recovery, highlighting the greater role of emerging economies. The report notes that the ongoing shift of trade flows toward politically aligned partners and geographically closer partners is reshaping global trade chains.