1. Growth — steady but subdued
Why it matters: Slower but steady growth changes corporate strategies—from breakneck expansion to disciplined capital allocation—and raises the value of resilience and cost control.
2. Trade recovered, but structurally shifted
Notable patterns:
Services-led growth: Services accounted for stronger year-on-year gains than merchandise.
Regionalisation & nearshoring: Supply-chain reconfiguration continued—firms prioritized resilience and proximity, accelerating regional trade ties.
Policy frictions: Tariffs, export controls and investment screens introduced new frictions that shaped trade routes and investment decisions.
3. Inflation and monetary policy: easing but watchful
Practical implication: Businesses should monitor real borrowing costs and plan for less dramatic rate moves than in previous years—scenario planning remains essential.
4. Geopolitics, trade policy and fragmentation
Business takeaway: Diversify supplier bases, stress-test markets for policy shocks, and consider on-the-ground intelligence for high-risk corridors.
5. Inflation, debt and inequality — uneven recovery
6. Technology, green transition and new trade patterns
Two structural forces shaped the medium-term picture:
- Green transition: Energy shifts—renewables, EVs, and green tech—reshaped investment and trade in commodities and components.
- Tech & digital services: Digital trade, data flows and software services expanded rapidly, creating new export niches even for smaller economies.
Companies that invest early in green and digital capabilities positioned themselves to capture new trade opportunities.
7. Practical advice for exporters and businesses
Map exposure: Identify critical suppliers and customers; plan alternatives for high-risk links.
Focus on services and value-added exports: With services growing faster, consider bundling services with goods (after-sales, digital platforms).
Currency and interest risk management: Use hedging and scenario analysis; monitor central bank guidance.
Policy monitoring: Keep a close watch on trade policy developments and non-tariff measures in priority markets.
Sustainability as strategy: Environmental and social standards increasingly influence market access and buyer choices.
8. Looking ahead — what to watch in 2025
Key variables that will shape the near future include: how trade tensions evolve, central banks’ rate paths, China’s growth trajectory, and how quickly green and digital transitions translate into new trade flows. Multilateral cooperation (or the lack of it) on trade rules will also be decisive.
Conclusion
The overall situation of the world economy and trade in 2024 can be summarized as cautious recovery layered with fresh structural shifts: services rising, regionalisation accelerating, geopolitical risks growing, and long-term transitions in technology and green investments altering trade patterns. For businesses and policymakers the year reinforced a simple lesson: plan for complexity, diversify risk, and invest in the capabilities that capture the era’s structural winners—digital services, sustainability, and resilient supply chains.
About Us
We stand out as a leading manufacturer of artificial quartz stone slabs in China, proudly operating our own factory. We specialize in supplying top-quality quartz slabs to esteemed brand-owners, wholesalers, distributors, and fabricators worldwide.
Our products include quartz stone Calacatta series, Carrara series, Fine grain & Diamond series, Pure Colors series, Unique Patterns series, JADE series, and Printed Quartz Stone.
Thickness: 15mm, 18mm, 20 mm, 30 mm
Standard Size: 3200x1600mm(126×63 inch)
Biggest Size: 3500x2000mm(137.8×78.4 inch)
Surface: Polished/Matte
Trade Manager: Hero Gegal
Phone: +86 150 5425 3293
WhatsApp: +86 150 5425 3293
References:
