According to the latest reading of the WTO goods trade barometer released on Thursday, global trade in goods witnessed a strong uptick in early 2025 with importers front - loading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs by the US. However, a slowing down of new export orders suggests that the growth momentum may not be sustainable, according to a WTO statement. The latest WTO goods trade barometer rose to 103.5 up from 102.8 in March, while the forward - looking new export orders index fell to 97.9, pointing to weaker trade growth later in the year. The WTO has forecast a basically flat growth in global merchandise trade at 0.1 percent. However, trade contraction is possible, for example, if US reciprocal tariffs are reinstated, or if trade policy uncertainty spreads globally.