The global trade landscape is shifting, with artificial intelligence and digital commerce becoming the new engines of growth, while traditional trade in manufactured goods slows, said Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Speaking in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) ahead of the WEF's 2026 annual meeting, Brende noted a significant shift in trade patterns compared to past decades.
"It is true that in the past, when we were closer to a four-percent trend growth globally, trade was growing double as much as the global growth. And that was definitely driving the growth. Now, for the first time in decades, we're seeing that, for example, trade in manufactured goods is growing much more slowly than the overall trade. So there is a change in the demand of the consumer," he said.
He explained that this shift is marked by exponential growth in digital trade and services, while traditional trade, such as manufactured goods, has slowed down overall.
"So we're seeing exponential growth and demand in digital trade and services. While traditional (sectors) like manufactured goods, we see slower growth. We also see that where the big investments are going now in the AI centers and all the frontier technologies, and that what is driving growth. So the nations that will do well in the future are those that are also very well prepared for the new technologies. And I don't think there is any big secret that both China and the U.S. are quite leading in this area. And they're competing, and that's what we are, of course, all following very closely," Brende said.
AI, digital trade emerging as new global growth drivers: WEF president
