Global merchandise trade slowed last quarter as the boost seen earlier this year from front-loading of orders ahead of US tariffs faded, the World Trade Organization said.
The WTO’s goods barometer dropped to 101.8 in September from 102.2 for June, the Geneva-based organization said on Friday. The baseline of 100 indicates growth over the next quarter that’s in line with medium-term trends.
The data for air freight and container shipping “continue to signal expansion,” even as they weakened from June, “indicating a cooling-off in the transportation of goods worldwide,” the report said. The barometer’s automotive and electronics indexes stabilized ...