Global trade rebounding, protectionism still a risk: WTO

World Trade Organization said commerce is expected to grow by 3.6% in 2017, well above last year's figure of 1.3%

Global trade is rebounding strongly, the World Trade Organization said on Thursday, with commerce expected to grow by 3.6 per cent in 2017, well above last year's figure of 1.3 per cent and also up from the WTO's April forecast of 2.4 per cent.

The rapid acceleration was due to last year's low base, a resurgence of Asian trade flows and recovering North American import demand. The pace will moderate next year and is estimated at 3.2 per cent, within a range of 1.4-4.4 percent, the WTO said.