UN warns of global trade risks

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned that the global trade outlook for the second half of 2025 is fraught with risks, given the slowdown in international trade growth over the past six months.

Cargo ships loaded with containers at the Port of Los Angeles, California, US.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that global trade in the first half of 2025 will increase by US$300 billion compared to the same period in 2024; the growth rate will reach about 1.5% in the first quarter and is expected to reach about 2% in the second quarter.

Developed economies were the main drivers of world trade growth, with US imports soaring 14% and European Union (EU) exports rising 6%, the report said.

Rising commodity prices on international markets also contributed to the increase in trade value. However, according to UNCTAD, risks from geopolitical tensions, unpredictable trade policies and slowing global economic growth are factors that are negatively affecting international trade.

The report said that new US tariff measures could increase the risk of fragmentation of the global trading system.

According to UNCTAD, the US, which has suffered a trade deficit for many years, continues to record a larger deficit and this is believed to be the reason for President Donald Trump to promote new tariff measures.

Meanwhile, on July 8, one day after announcing the deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs from August 1, President Donald Trump affirmed that he would not continue to delay imposing new tariffs, or extend the exemption from applying this measure.

On the same day, he announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on all copper imported into the US, and warned of the possibility of a 200% tariff on imported pharmaceuticals, in an effort to boost domestic production.

nhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lien-hop-quoc-canh-bao-rui-ro-thuong-mai-toan-cau-post648360.html