On July 31, local time, the World Trade Organization released the latest data. The growth in global trade in goods in the first quarter of 2026 exceeded expectations. Trade in artificial intelligence-related electronic components increased dramatically, offsetting the negative impact of the Middle East war in the last month of the quarter. After seasonal adjustments, global trade in goods increased 1.9% month-on-month and 3.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. Asia's exports and imports increased by 12.9% and 14.6%, respectively, in the first quarter, mainly driven by economies such as China, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. North American exports increased 7% year over year, while imports fell 10.7% year over year. The WTO expects trade data for the next quarter to more comprehensively reflect the disruptions in trade in the Strait of Hormuz.

On July 31, local time, the World Trade Organization released the latest data. The growth in global trade in goods in the first quarter of 2026 exceeded expectations. Trade in artificial intelligence-related electronic components increased dramatically, offsetting the negative impact of the Middle East war in the last month of the quarter. After seasonal adjustments, global trade in goods increased 1.9% month-on-month and 3.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. Asia's exports and imports increased by 12.9% and 14.6%, respectively, in the first quarter, mainly driven by economies such as China, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. North American exports increased 7% year over year, while imports fell 10.7% year over year. The WTO expects trade data for the next quarter to more comprehensively reflect the disruptions in trade in the Strait of Hormuz.