AI demand lifts trade WTO raises growth forecast

Oct 8

Roy links the AI boom to the real economy, reporting the WTO's 2026 merchandise-trade forecast increase from 1.9% to 3.9% amid West Asia disruption. In the same continuous business roundup he reports September Taiwan exports of $87.2 billion, nearly 61% year-on-year growth and the country's advanced-chip role, then says Microsoft is promoting powerful NVIDIA-equipped Windows PCs for the next AI phase. Forecasts, the reported export statistics and corporate positioning remain distinct; no achieved annual trade result or specific new PC launch is established.

DD India reports the WTO raising its 2026 merchandise-trade volume growth forecast from 1.9% in March to 3.9%, citing AI-related demand and greater-than-expected resilience amid the West Asia crisis. This is the institution's forecast revision, not completed annual growth.