Global trade hits record parts 33 trillion dollars in 2024, driven by services and developed economies

In 2024, global trade recorded a record of 33 trillion dollars and increased by 3.7% (1.2 trillion US dollars). After the recent global trade update of UN Trade and Development (Unctad), the warns that trading is strong, the uncertainty is emerging in 2025.

Services have increased growth, increased by 9% for the year and increased 700 billion US dollars – Almost 60% of total growth. Trade with goods increased by 2%and contributed 500 billion US dollars.

Most regions recorded positive growth, with the exception of Europe and Central Asia. The growth varied from industrial agricultural grinding, communication technology and transportation recorded profits, while energy, clothing and extracts slowed down due to the weaker demand and political shifts.

In the second half of the year, however, the impulse slowed down. In the fourth quarter, trading with goods grew by less than 0.5%and the services only rose by 1%.

The trade inflation approached zero as prices for traded goods that were stabilized In the last quarter of 2024. The persistent effects of high postpandemic inflation seem to have conducted their course.

Developing countries led to global growth

In 2024, Developing countries exceeded industrialized nations, where imports and exports rose by 4% per year and 2% in the fourth quartermainly driven from East and South Asia. The south-south trade changed by 5% annually and 4% in the last quarter.

The chain and India exceeded global trade on average. In contrast, the trade in the Russian Federation, South Africa and Brazil remained the majority of the year with an improvement in the fourth quarter.

In the meantime, the trade trading economies with imports and exports for the year and last quarter stagnated by 2%.

Handelshungliche weights widened

In 2024, global trading weights returned to 2022 levels.

The US trade deficit with China -355 billion dollars and increased $ 14 billion in the fourth quarter, while their deficit with the European Union (EU) rose by $ 12 billion to $ 241 billion.

In the meantime, China's strong exports have put his trade surplus on the highest level since 2022. The EU has returned earlier deficits and recorded a trade surplus for the year, which was supported by high energy prices.

Commercial growth applies at the beginning of 2025, but the uncertainty is emerging

Trading remained stable in early 2025, but the increasing geo -economic tensions, protectionist guidelines and trade disputes are likely to signal disruptive disorders.

The falling shipping indices signal a weaker demand for goods manufactured, inputs and raw materials when companies adapt to increasing uncertainty.

The challenge in 2025 is to prevent the global fragmentation in the nations in isolated merchant bell and at the same time manage political shifts without undermining long-term growth.