DHL releases 2025 Trade Atlas, highlighting global trade trends

DHL’s newly released 2025 Trade Atlas projects a 3.1 per cent annual increase in the trade of goods from 2024 to 2029, despite uncertainties surrounding future U.S. trade policies following President Donald Trump’s re-election.

DHL and the New York University Stern School of Business released the report, analyzing global trade trends across nearly 200 countries and territories.

The report goes on to say that even if all proposed U.S. tariff increases are enacted and other countries retaliate, global trade is expected to continue expanding.

India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are identified as the four countries set to lead global trade growth in both speed and volume. The report also notes that trade has not become more regionalized, with the share of cross-border trade flows remaining stable.

“The U.S. and China have reduced their shares of trade with each other, but not enough to constitute a significant decoupling,” the report states. It also notes that goods produced in China continue to enter the U.S. via alternative trade routes.

The DHL Trade Atlas 2025 includes trade data and trends for nearly 200 countries and serves as a resource for policymakers, business leaders, educators and researchers.