World trade recorded its largest increase in six years in 2017

Geneva, 31 July.- World trade recorded its highest growth rate in six years in 2017, According to data published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on its website,

In its report entitled Latest Trends in World Trade 2017-2018, the WTO pointed out that trade volume The value of goods, as measured by average exports and imports, rose by 4.7% last year.

This represents the first annual increase of more than three per cent since 2011 and a significant increase over the previous year. In contrast, the dollar value of merchandise exports has increased by 11 per cent, while commercial services exports have increased. increased by seven percentage points.

Among other causes, e The economic situation was stimulated by the increase in investment spending, especially in the United States, and by the increase in consumption, especially in Japan, indicates The report.

The growth in the volume of world merchandise trade was stimulated, too, because of the increase in the demand for imports in all regions, with a particular strength in the Asian continent which registered an eight percent growth, added the badysis.

According to the study, China and the European Union have maintained a The largest gains were registered in emerging and developing economies, where trade growth rose 1.9% to 7.2% in 2017 reached in 2016.

The report also warned that during the first half of 2018 the anticipated commercial tensions of the previous year have resulted in that is to say restrictive trade measures imposed on major economies in a wide range of products.

It is unclear how these measures will affect trade this year, the study adds, but they may trigger a cycle of retaliation that could be detrimental to global trade and growth.