World Trade Report 2025 - Making trade and AI work together to the benefit of all

Sep 5, 2026

World Trade Report 2025 examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and international trade interact in a rapidly evolving environment and how that interaction can shape inclusive growth. It highlights opportunities and challenges for using AI to support trade-led development, stressing the role of trade policies and complementary domestic measures. The report also outlines the central function the WTO can play, including coordination with other international organizations. Annexes add AI-related product and sector information, key terms, and methodology details.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages144

Reading Time6 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Disclaimer

Abbreviations

Foreword by the WTO Director-General

Executive summary

A. Introduction

What is AI?

AI and the future of trade-led growth

The structure of this report

B. AI, trade and inclusive growth: opportunities and challenges

AI and trade can act as catalysts for trade-led growth

Trade can play a crucial role in making AI more inclusive

Conclusions

C. How domestic policies can shape the trade and AI relationship to favour inclusive economic growth

Trade policy is critical for inclusive growth driven by AI

AI, trade-related and complementary policies are necessary

Conclusions

D. International cooperation to make trade and AI work for all

Inclusive AI would benefit from more cooperation at the WTO

Greater coordination between the WTO and other international organizations is needed

Conclusions

Annex A. List of AI-enabling products and economic sectors

Non-exhaustive list of AI-enabling products

List of sectors by AI intensity

Annex B. Key AI terms

Annex C. Data and methodology for AI patent citation analysis

Annex D. WTO AI Trade Policy Openness Index (AI-TPOI): Methodology

Opinion pieces

From flow to foresight: how AI is redefining trade

Unlocking AI for all: a Global South perspective

AI, innovation and inclusive growth

Bibliography

WORLD TRADE REPORT 2025 Making trade andAI work together to the bene t of all What is the World Trade Report? The World Trade Report is an annual publication that aims to deepen understanding about trends in trade, trade policy issues and the multilateral trading system. What is the 2025 Report about? The 2025 World Trade Report explores the complex and fast-evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and international trade and how this relationship may shape inclusive growth. It also looks at the central role the WTO can play in ensuring that AI supports broad-based growth. Find out more [Website: www.wto.org](Website: www.wto.org) General enquiries: [enquiries@wto.org](enquiries@wto.org) [Tel:](Tel:) +41 (0)22 739 51 11 CONTENTS Acknowledgements.............................................................................................. 2 Disclaimer ........................................................................................................... 3 Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... 4 Foreword by the WTO Director-General ................................................................. 6 Executive summary .............................................................................................. 8 A. Introduction .................................................................................................. 14 1. What is AI? ........................................................................................................ 15 2. AI and the future of trade-led growth ........................................................................... 16 3. The structure of this report ...................................................................................... 18 B. AI, trade and inclusive growth: opportunities and challenges...................... 20 1. AI and trade can act as catalysts for trade-led growth........................................................ 22 2. Trade can play a crucial role in making AI more inclusive ..................................................... 43 3. Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 54 C. How domestic policies can shape the trade and AI relationship to favour inclusive economic growth.................................... 58 1. Trade policy is critical for inclusive growth driven by AI....................................................... 60 2. AI, trade-related and complementary policies are necessary for AI and trade to work together for inclusive growth .................................................................... 69 3. Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 84 D. International cooperation to make trade and AI work for all ........................ 86 1. Inclusive AI would benefit from more cooperation at the WTO .............................................. 88 2. Greater coordination between the WTO and other international organizations is needed for more inclusive AI ................................................................................. 103 3. Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 111 Annex A. List of AI-enabling products and economic sectors Annex A.1. Non-exhaustive list of AI-enabling products ........................................................ 114 Annex A.2 . List of sectors by AI intensity ........................................................................ 123 Annex B. Key AI terms .............................................................................................. 124 Annex C. Data and methodology for AI patent citation analysis ................................................... 126 Annex D. WTO AI Trade Policy Openness I

FAQs

What is the purpose of the World Trade Report series?

The World Trade Report is an annual publication designed to deepen understanding of trends in trade, key trade policy issues, and the multilateral trading system.

What does the World Trade Report 2025 focus on?

It explores the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and international trade and how it may influence inclusive growth, including the role of the WTO in making sure AI supports broad-based outcomes.

How does the report propose domestic and international cooperation to make trade and AI work for all?

It emphasizes the importance of trade policies and complementary domestic measures, then calls for greater cooperation and coordination—especially through the WTO and with other international organizations.

Sep 5, 2026

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