WTO warns AI-driven trade boom could prove vulnerable to tariffs

Tuesday 22 September 2026 - 14:15

By: Azzat Manal

WTO warns AI-driven trade boom could prove vulnerable to tariffs

Artificial intelligence is emerging as an increasingly important driver of global trade, with commerce in AI-related goods recording strong growth in early 2026. However, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned that the current surge could be vulnerable to escalating tariffs and broader trade tensions.

WTO data showed that trade in semiconductors, chemicals and industrial equipment linked to artificial intelligence increased by 42% year on year during the first quarter of 2026. By comparison, trade in other goods grew by around 7% over the same period.

The figures highlight the growing role of AI-related products in international commerce as businesses and governments accelerate investment in data centers, computing infrastructure, advanced chips and other technologies needed to support the expansion of artificial intelligence.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the Financial Times on Thursday that maintaining this momentum will depend largely on whether the AI boom can continue generating demand and investment across the global economy.

She also warned that if the current boom were to turn into a bubble, the strong growth recorded in trade involving AI-related products could become difficult to sustain. The comments underscore the importance of monitoring whether the current investment cycle reflects durable demand or an unsustainable surge in spending.

The warning comes as international trade faces a more challenging environment, with governments imposing tariffs, introducing retaliatory trade measures and dealing with disruptions to global supply chains.

Strong demand for AI components and infrastructure may currently be helping to offset some of these pressures. Semiconductor manufacturers and other suppliers connected to the AI industry have benefited from rising investment as companies compete to expand their computing capacity and develop new AI systems.

However, a sudden slowdown in AI-related investment could expose underlying weaknesses in global trade more clearly. If spending on data centers, advanced computing equipment and related technologies were to weaken significantly, the effects of tariffs and trade disruptions could become more visible across international supply chains.

The outlook for AI-related trade will therefore depend not only on technological progress but also on the durability of investment and demand. For the global economy, the rapid expansion of AI-linked commerce offers a significant source of trade growth, while also creating new exposure to shifts in technology spending and international trade policy.