WTO to propose AI policies for 37% global trade boost by 2040

The WTO's AI-Trade Agenda

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) will host its first World Trade and Tech Day in Geneva on 14 September 2026, focusing on the theme "AI and Trade: Turning Potential into Progress". This event convenes policymakers and industry leaders to examine practical methods for utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance international trade and economic gains.

The WTO's World Trade Report 2025 demonstrated that AI could increase global gross domestic product by 13% and global trade by as much as 37% by 2040. These projections, however, are conditional on addressing critical issues such as the uneven adoption of AI technologies, potential disruptions in labour markets, and the unequal distribution of economic benefits across nations.

Discussions at the event will concentrate on how governments can capture these projected economic expansions while simultaneously managing the associated challenges.

Policy and Regulatory Considerations for AI Adoption

A central focus of the Geneva gathering will be the policy, regulatory, and economic considerations that accompany the widespread adoption of AI. This includes its implications for international trade dynamics, economic development, and global cooperation.

The programme features a ministerial dialogue specifically addressing why AI constitutes a significant trade policy issue, indicating the WTO's view on the technology's strategic importance.

Panel discussions will delve into several key areas: the role of AI in reducing trade costs, strategies for supporting developing economies' participation in the evolving AI value chain, enabling digital trade through advanced services, fostering innovation by leveraging intellectual property frameworks, and establishing appropriate standards for AI deployment in commerce.

Engaging Stakeholders and Showcasing Applications

The event's agenda reflects a comprehensive approach to stakeholder engagement, featuring contributions from various sectors. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will deliver a welcoming address, setting the stage for the discussions.

A fireside chat will bring together private-sector leaders to share their perspectives on AI's commercial applications and challenges, complemented by a keynote address from a high-level executive. Beyond formal discussions, the World Trade and Tech Day will include an exhibition and a pitching session.

These segments are designed to showcase specific case studies of AI's implementation within trade contexts, providing concrete examples of how the technology is being applied and its practical effects on global commerce. This emphasis on tangible applications aims to bridge the gap between policy discourse and real-world economic activity.

Implications for Asian Economies

The policy frameworks and regulatory approaches discussed at the WTO's World Trade and Tech Day on 14 September 2026 hold direct implications for Asian economies.

With the WTO's World Trade Report 2025 forecasting a potential 13% increase in global GDP and a 37% expansion of global trade by 2040 through AI adoption, Asian nations, many of which are deeply integrated into global supply chains and actively investing in AI research and development, stand to gain significantly.

However, these gains are contingent on addressing challenges such as labour market adjustments and ensuring equitable access to AI technologies. The discussions on enabling developing economies to participate in the AI value chain are particularly relevant for emerging markets in Asia, which seek to integrate into advanced technology sectors.

Decision-makers in Asia will monitor the outcomes of this Geneva gathering for insights into future international trade policy directions concerning AI, which could shape regional economic strategies and investment flows in the coming years.