World Bank - Trade Expanded as Import Restrictions Loomed

Trade Expanded as Import Restrictions Loomed

• Global goods trade continued to expand rapidly in the five months from October 2024 through February 2025 amid a spurt in demand fueled by expectations of higher import restrictions in the US.
• Trade in services, which is reported two months after goods, expanded further in the October to December period, and international tourist arrivals recovered to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
• Stress in global supply chains remained high in March 2025, driven by the increase in goods trade. Container-fleet expansion helped restrain shipping costs amid supply-chain pressures.