UNCTAD’s latest Global Trade Update reveals that global trade expanded by $300 billion in the first half of 2025, with growth of 1.5% in Q1 and a projected 2% in Q2. However, price increases rather than volume growth drove much of this expansion. Developed economies outperformed developing countries, led by a 14% surge in U.S. imports and a 6% increase in EU exports. At the same time, trade imbalances widened, with larger U.S. deficits and growing surpluses in China and the EU.
The report highlights alarming digital market concentration, with the top five digital multinationals now controlling 48% of global sales (up from 21% in 2017), and calls for stronger, more coordinated competition law enforcement, alongside investments in infrastructure and the startup ecosystem. Despite current growth, global trade is expected to face significant headwinds in the second half of 2025 due to policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and signs of slowing global economic growth. Read the full UNCTAD Global Trade Update here.
Stay informed on global investment patterns with UNCTAD’s interactive FDI Tracker, which allows you to explore and compare foreign direct investment flows across different regions and economies to identify emerging trends and opportunities.