Supply Chain Research

The global trade boom continued for a 24th straight month in January, with a 5.7% growth resulting in a third sequential level of volumes. However, that is at least partly helped by the later timing of the lunar new year, which led emerging Asia volumes to climbed 8%. It also comes as business sentiment on trade has fallen into negative territory. Importantly the record comes ahead of the implementation of tariffs by the U.S. of duties on $100 billion of goods in the metals, ICT, aerospace and machinery sectors. The effect on global trade could be doubled by the effect of retaliation.