Business EconomyPosted at: Mar 15 2025 4:24PM


US policies, geopolitical tensions pose risk to global trade in 2025: UNCTAD

New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) Global economic activity is expected to maintain modest momentum in 2025 but international trade faces significant uncertainty with factors such as a shift in US trade policies, global trade imbalances and geopolitical challenges negatively impacting trade growth, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said in its latest Global Trade Update.
"Moreover, the possibility of trade policy escalations casts a shadow of uncertainty over the global trade outlook for 2025," it said.
The report said that the expected easing in global inflation and China’s economic stimulus for 2025 — with a growth target of about 5 per cent— may provide some tailwind to global trade.
The Global Trade Update noted the growing trend in the implementation of protectionist trade policies, with a growing tendency to link trade measures with non-trade policy objectives.
"This shift is evident in the implementation of broad new tariffs targeting specific countries, as well as more targeted tariffs affecting particular products, such as steel and aluminium. These tariffs are expected to have significant repercussions on global and regional value chains," it said.
The report said that unilateral and highly restrictive trade policies can set off ripple effects, and such measures frequently prompt retaliatory actions from affected trading partners, often creating a cycle of escalating trade barriers which may eventually involve also third parties.
The report highlighted that there has been a noticeable reduction in demand for container shipping in the first months of 2025 as reflected by a significant decrease in the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI).
"The decline in the SCFI points to weaker trade volumes, signalling a slowdown in global economic activity. Additionally, the Baltic Dry Index, which tracks shipping rates for bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain, remains at relatively low levels compared to 2024," it said.
As per UNCTAD, global trade expanded by nearly US$1.2 trillion in 2024, reaching US$33 trillion — a result of a 9% rise in services trade and a 2% increase in goods trade.
While developing nations, particularly China and India saw better than average trade expansion during 2024, many developed nations experienced trade contractions.
UNI NK GNK
Please log in to get detailed story.
Tags: #US policies# geopolitical tensions pose risk to global trade in 2025: UNCTAD
More News

Hyderabad-based CtrlS Datacenters to invest Rs 500 Cr in Greenfield data centre in Bhopal

29 Apr 2025 | 3:07 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 28 (UNI) CtrlS Datacenters Ltd, which operates 15 data centres across eight key markets, on Monday announced an investment of Rs 500 crore for a greenfield data centre in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh).

see more..

Bridgestone India opens four new select outlets in Hyd

29 Apr 2025 | 12:35 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 28 (UNI) Bridgestone India, part of the Bridgestone group, a global leader in tyres and rubber that provides solutions for safe and sustainable mobility, on Monday announced it has further expanded its Flagship Select Store network by launching additional four new Select outlets in Hyderabad.

see more..

TVS achieves over 4 7 mn unit sales

28 Apr 2025 | 9:19 PM

Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) Two and three-wheeler makers TVS Motor Company achieved four million unit sales and posted highest ever revenue for the financial year 2024-25 at Rs. 36,251 Crores registering a growth of 14% as against Rs. 31,776 Crores recorded in 2023-24.

see more..

Make in India, Made for the world Hyundai ‘Brand i10’ exceeds 3 mn sales milestone

28 Apr 2025 | 9:03 PM

Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) Committed to the vision of ‘Make in India, Made for the World,’ passenger
car makers Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) on Monday announced that its brand i10 has
scaled over 3.3 million unit sales in India and export markets.

see more..

AP: SEIL Energy’s Fire Brigade responds to 157 community medical & fire emergencies

28 Apr 2025 | 7:46 PM

Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), Apr 28 (UNI) SEIL Energy India Limited, one of the largest Independent Power Producers (IPP) in India, concluded the National Fire Service Fortnight with a Valedictory Ceremony here on Monday.

see more..