McKinsey report points out that artificial intelligence is reshaping the global trade landscape

Reference News Network reported on March 29th that according to the European News Agency on March 25th, McKinsey&Company's latest report "Geopolitics and Global Trade Patterns in 2026" pointed out that driven by artificial intelligence and a shift in strategic focus towards more like-minded partners, global trade will grow by 6.5% in 2025, reaching a historic high.

Although key regions such as the Strait of Hormuz still face tensions and logistics disruptions, the report analyzes how tariff policies and the rise of artificial intelligence are driving the global trade landscape towards more geographically connected partners.

The report points out that investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure further consolidates its position as the main driver of global trade by 2025. The trade volume of specialized hardware such as chips, servers, and network equipment increased by 40% in this year. The demand for related technological components has surged, accounting for one-third of the global trade growth in the past year alone.

This technological boom mainly benefits the production centers of East Asian economies. These markets supply semiconductors, servers, and network equipment globally through closely interconnected supply chains.

At the same time, the global expansion of data centers further consolidates the United States' position as a leader in demand for such products.

By 2025, the United States will account for approximately half of the world's newly added data center capacity. Related investments have driven a 66% increase in the trade volume of artificial intelligence related products in the United States, estimated to reach $220 billion.

In addition to advanced chips, the construction of these facilities has also driven the trade of critical infrastructure equipment, such as gas turbines for power generation, industrial cooling systems, and fiber optic cables. McKinsey pointed out that "this reflects how AI related infrastructure is reshaping the global trade landscape.

The report emphasizes that the EU is facing pressure from the new tariff policies of the United States. In this regard, the automotive industry, as a pillar of Europe's industrial and employment strategy, has been the most affected.

McKinsey stated that as a strategic response, the EU is seeking to achieve trade diversification and attract Asian direct investment in key infrastructure construction in Europe by reaching agreements with rapidly growing markets including India and the Southern Common Market. For example, the construction of giant factory projects in Spain and Hungary is expected to double the battery production in the region.

The current global trade landscape requires multinational corporations to adopt pragmatic strategies that combine long-term layout with high operational flexibility.

Faced with some structural trends, such as the rise of artificial intelligence, business leaders must focus their strategic efforts on the most resilient trade corridors. In this turbulent environment, the key to success lies not in making a trade-off between stability and quick response, but in adapting to profound structural changes while maintaining the flexibility to respond to short-term barriers.

The report points out that the process of globalization is not a setback, but rather that businesses and economies are actively adjusting their trading partners and trade content to adapt to the new era of global interconnectivity.

Therefore, the consulting firm believes that "2026 will face a series of new challenges such as tariff fluctuations and Middle East conflicts, making it more important than ever to have a deep understanding of the various forces reshaping the global interconnected landscape.