[WTO raises global trade in goods growth forecast for 2026] On October 8, the World Trade Organization released its latest global trade outlook report on the 8th, saying that due to supply chain adjustments and strong investment in the field of artificial intelligence, global trade in goods is expected to grow by 3.9% in 2026, higher than the 1.9% forecast in March, and is expected to grow by 4.1% in 2027. The report also shows that due to the impact of the war in the Middle East on transportation and international travel, global services trade is expected to grow by 3.3% in 2026, lower than the 4.8% forecast in March, and will grow by 6.4% in 2027. WTO Director-General Iweala said that in the face of shocks, an integrated world economy and a rules-based trading system provide economies with flexibility so that essential goods can continue to flow to businesses and households who need them. However, she also pointed out that not all economies can seize new opportunities such as artificial intelligence, so it is necessary to ensure that the rules-based trading system can continue to withstand shocks, bridge gaps, and enable opportunities to be shared. The report shows that in the first half of this year, global trade in goods grew by 3.5%, exceeding expectations, indicating that the supply chain is capable of coping with the impact of the war in the Middle East on the energy, fertilizer and transportation markets. At the same time, artificial intelligence-related demand is strong, and trade in artificial intelligence-related commodities such as semiconductors and servers has increased by 67% year-on-year, with the growth rate further accelerating compared with 2024 and 2025. (Xinhua News Agency)