Why trade is evolving, not going away

Anyone focused exclusively on the bold headlines and market moves of 2018 can be forgiven for concluding that trade is doing more than just rattling markets. To some, these moves signal the demise of an economic framework based on trade and globalisation, which has underpinned economic growth and progress for decades.

Overseeing the Asia Pacific region, and responsible for our fast-growing franchise in some of the world’s most dynamic markets, I am inclined to take a less apocalyptic view.

At Citi, we recognize that changes in trade policy—both real and imagined—are driving turbulence in global markets. But our outlook is that trade and globalisation will not go away or even dramatically diminish.

We envision trade flows will adapt and evolve to be more geographically diverse. They will shift towards markets where opportunities and costs are attractive, and local technologies and capabilities seem worthy of greater investment.

Spurred on by this shift in trade flows, supply chains will have to become nimbler and more flexible, to allow for the dynamic allocation of production and the ability to manage technological advancement and changes in terms of trade between countries.

Right now, the gap between rhetoric and reality of the demise of trade is reflected in a few facts.

First, at 4.7 perc ent, growth in global trade flows of goods on a volume basis was stronger last year than in any year since 2011. On a dollar basis, world exports and imports of goods in 2017 were valued at over $US17 trillion, up more than 11 per cent over 2016. Services exports also rose strongly, over 7 per cent.

Despite rising trade tensions, consensus estimates of global trade growth anticipate a similar leap forward this year of about four per cent. With apologies to the late, great American author Mark Twain, reports of the death or demise of world trade and globalization appear to be greatly exaggerated.

Second, while all eyes have been focused on trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners, the great bulk of world trade—about 80 per cent—doesn’t flow through the U.S.

In 2017, high-growth Asian economies accounted for 60 per cent of the volume increase in imports and 51 per cent of the increase in exports. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, by 2020, Asia will account for 38 per cent of global trade flows.

Third, it’s plain to see that strong, deep intraregional trade and investment linkages are acting as a counterweight to policy uncertainty across Asia. Citi’s key thematic observations are that investment flows from outside of and within Asia will grow further, moving in tandem with the expansion of new intra-Asia trade corridors. Already, two-thirds of China’s outward direct investment now flows to Asian countries.

Concrete signs of this deepening integration are easy to spot on the ground.

Korean giant Samsung recently marked the opening of a new facility—the world’s largest mobile phone factory—in India. Also in India, Chinese firm Xiaomi has opened three new manufacturing facilities, adding to two that were already in operation. We expect to continue to see these types of investment flows in time to come.

Also fueling Citi’s optimistic outlook on trade—globally and regionally—are the conversations we have with our clients. Corporations aren’t making any large decisions on the realignment of complex supply chains just yet. Yes, policy concerns will remain front-and-center until new, more settled arrangements are hammered out among and between trading partners. But as a bank with more than two centuries of experience and deep roots in trade finance, we believe what we are witnessing is an evolution, not contraction, of trade.

While some are fastening their seat belts in anticipation of a rough road ahead, we remain confident that trade will stay central to economic activity for decades if not centuries to come.

That is because nations, regions, firms, and populations don’t just like but need to trade with each other to grow and prosper. With a mission to enable growth and progress, Citi is supportive of the fair and free flow of trade of goods and services worldwide and dialogue that furthers those ends for the benefit of people and society at large.

Francisco is Citi’s chief executive Asia Pacific

This article originally appeared as part of the 2018 Milken Institute Asia Summit.