https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/ai-investment-boom-to-drive-fastest-global-trade-growth-since-financial-crisis-wto-forecastsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/ai-investment-boom-to-drive-fastest-global-trade-growth-since-financial-crisis-wto-forecastshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/ai-investment-boom-to-drive-fastest-global-trade-growth-since-financial-crisis-wto-forecasts#u133148Sun, 18 Oct 2026 20:15:18 +0000The World Trade Organization has more than doubled its 2026 global merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9%, up from 1.9%. This surge is driven by an investment boom in AI-related goods, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure. These gains are offsetting trade disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East and other geopolitical headwinds. The WTO describes this as the fastest global trade growth since the financial crisis, noting that supply chain resilience and the ability to reroute shipments have supported this expansion.Why it mattersThe growth occurs amid significant volatility, in