Executive Summary

This report analyzes global trade patterns using WTO merchandise and services data from 1988-2023. Key findings include:

  1. General growth in all sectors through the years covered by this analysys
  2. All trades experienced downfall when hit with the crisis (both during COVID-19 Pandemic and Global Financial Crisis from 2008)
  3. Industrial products show more volatility than food/textile categories during crises
  4. Developing economies have gained substantial trade share since 1988

Merchandise Trade Composition (2000–2023)

Description: The vizualization depicts different compozitions of total Merchendise trade in the years 2000 -> 2023

Observations: We can observe, that the composition hasn’t changed much, however, all the sectors grew in terms of pure trade value significantly

Trade Value by Product Categories

Description: Three-panel visualization of merchandise trade by product groups.
Observations: - Food/textiles had stable growth, the crisis had a impacts smaller on those products - All stuff related to transport (like equipment, fuel etc.) is very volitail to crisis - Pharmaceuticals is the only category that expirienced growth through both crisis

Total Value of Services over the years

Description: Line chart showing annual global services trade value from 1988-2020.
Observations: - Steady growth until 2009 Financial Crisis - Strong recovery 2010-2019 - Sharp COVID-19 decline in 2020

Yearly Changes in Services Trade

Description: Bar chart showing year-to-year changes in services trade value.

Trade by Country over the years

Description: Animated map of merchandise trade by country.
Observations: - China had an enormous growth over the years - US remains largest importer despite declining share - African nations show fastest recent growth rates - EU maintains stable

Top 10 Reporters Comparison

Description: Side-by-side rankings for merchandise and services.

Conclusion

Even after being hit by a crisis, the trade recovered quickly and the growth continuous.

There are more volatile sectors to crisis (like transportation) and onec that are resilient to economic downturns like pharmaceuticals