27/06/2025 (Agence Europe) – Imports of products rose at the beginning of 2025, due to pre-emptive purchases in anticipation of US tariff increases. As a result, trade in goods figures are set to surge in the first half of the year, as shown by the World Trade Organization (WTO) barometer published on Thursday 26 June, which stands at 103.5, compared with the base value of 100 points. Projected growth for 2025 is 0.1% at this stage, but remains uncertain due to trade tensions and pricing policies. On the other hand, exports are set to slow in the second half of the year, dragging down the figures for world trade in goods. According to WTO estimates, the transport, automotive and electronic components sectors remain buoyant, while raw materials, for example, are stagnating. See the ‘barometer’: https://aeur.eu/f/hlv (LM)