Trade expansion will likely slow further in the third quarter of 2018, according to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) latest World Trade Outlook Indicator (WTOI).
The most recent WTOI reading of 100.3 is below the previous value of 101.8 and just above the baseline value of 100 for the index, signaling an easing of trade growth in the coming months in line with medium-term trends, said the WTO in a statement.
“This loss of momentum reflects weakness in component indices including export orders and automobile production and sales, which may be responding to the ratcheting up of trade tensions,” it added.
The latest results released August 9 remain broadly in line with the WTO’s most recent trade forecast issued on April 12, 2018, which predicted a slowing of merchandise trade volume growth from 4.7% in 2017 to 4.4% in 2018.
“Rising trade tensions continue to pose risks to the trade forecast and will be monitored closely going forward,” WTO warned.
The moderation in the overall WTOI index was driven by export orders (97.2), which have declined steadily over the course of the year, and automobile production and sales (98.1), which have risen slightly recently but remain below trend.
The indices for air freight (100.9) and container port throughput (102.2) remain above trend but growth momentum in both appears to be past its peak.
Electronic components stayed above trend (102.2) while agricultural raw materials (100.1) moved from below trend to on trend.
Designed to provide “real time” information on the trajectory of world trade relative to recent trends, the WTOI provides an indication of trade growth in the near future, complementing trade statistics and forecasts from the WTO and other organizations.
Readings of 100 indicate growth in line with medium-term trends; readings greater than 100 suggest above-trend growth, while those below 100 indicate the reverse.
