Global Trade

The economics of global disorder: Resilience to trump efficiency, growth

There have, no doubt, been admirable efforts by the government to cushion the energy shock emanating from the Gulf, but there is only so much it can do in such global circumstances

Fractured future: MC14 exposes the limitations of WTO amid deep divisions

The larger takeaway from MC14 is the fragmentation of global trade governance

India backs initiatives to ease investment flows to poor countries

India supports easing investment flows into developing nations but maintains WTO is not the appropriate platform, reiterating opposition to IFD proposal

Ahead of WTO's 14th ministerial meet, USTR pushes rethink in MFN norm

The US has called for a rethink of the MFN trade principle ahead of WTO's 14th ministerial meet, citing changing economic realities and concerns over reciprocity

Low hopes, sharp divides: WTO conference points to continuity outcome

Expectations this time are low for an institution that governs 98 per cent of global trade, worth over $35 trillion, due to a deep divide over its direction

Global trade growth may slow to 1.9% this year amid West Asia crisis: WTO

The global trade growth is expected to slow down to 1.9 per cent this year amid the West Asia crisis, the WTO said on Wednesday. WTO economists warn that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could further reduce trade growth if energy prices remain elevated, it said. It would also put pressure on food supplies and trade in services due to travel and transport disruptions. "...global merchandise trade growth would slow to 1.9 per cent in 2026 from 4.6 per cent in 2025, as trade is expected to normalise, following a surge in AI-related products and the front-loading of imports to avoid new tariffs," according to the WTO's Global Trade Outlook and Statistics. The forecast does not augur well for India as the country is looking to boost its shipments. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said this baseline forecast is under pressure from the conflict in the Middle East. "Sustained increases in energy prices could increase risks for global trade, with potential spillovers for food ..

India must rethink its trade stance as WTO struggles for relevance

WTO meet in Cameroon tests global trade unity as India pushes reform with pragmatism amid rising geopolitical tensions and shifting economic priorities

Russia's seaborne grain exports up 32.9% in February, shows data

Black Sea shipments drive surge in Russia's seaborne grain exports in February despite slower season-to-date volumes

Goldman Sachs warns Iran conflict could slow global growth, stoke inflation

Under its baseline forecast, Goldman expects oil prices to increase a bit further before moderating to $76 per barrel on average in the first quarter of 2026 and $65 in the fourth quarter

Managing the fallout: West Asian conflict can be challenging for India

Oil imports account for 3.1% of gross domestic product, and according to Nomura, every 10% rise in oil prices worsens India's current account by 0.4 percentage point

Tariffs run into legal troubles but will remain at core of Trump's agenda

The US Supreme Court's tariff ruling dents Donald Trump's leverage, reshaping global trade talks and placing India in a relatively stronger negotiating position

India-US trade in context: How it compares with the EU, China and others

India and the US have announced a trade deal to ease tariffs. Here's how the India-US trade relationship compares with India's major partners and the world's largest trade corridors

A world remade by rivalry: Each country must chart its own future

As the rules-based order fractures, geopolitics, minerals and energy rivalries are reshaping climate action, trade, and the future of global cooperation

Economic Survey 2025-26: External environment likely to remain volatile

For India, this could mean tougher competition for investment, slower growth in global trade volumes, and greater sensitivity of external flows to policy and geopolitical developments

The Economic Survey's global outlook: A world that has structurally changed

Economic Survey 2026 says India is better placed than many economies due to strong macro fundamentals, but warns these buffers will not fully insulate it from global volatility

Market signals: Global factors will continue to drive stock markets

Indian investors are in a difficult spot, given the uncertainty. In January to date, the benchmark Nifty saw a small correction of around 3.3 per cent after gaining 9.8 per cent in 2025

'A spirit of dialogue' at WEF, Davos, amid Trump's unilateralism

As donald trump completes one year of his second term, the world economic forum at davos opens amid rising tariffs, geopolitical fragmentation and a renewed push for global dialogue

Cloudy skies over US-EU trade deals: India prepares for headwinds

Amid political turmoil in the US and EU, India's hopes of quick trade deals face growing uncertainty, calling for realism and preparation for worst-case scenarios

Best of BS Opinion: Duopoly risks, urban woes and global disruptions

From Vodafone Idea's AGR moratorium and concerns over telecom duopoly to urban governance failures, global trade disruptions and India's openness to capital, here is today's opinion newsletter

Localising economy, well-being of majority key to resilient communities

Tariffs have been weaponised. They are now tools for reconfiguring global trade and foreign policy