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AI boom bolstered growth in global trade,  benefiting China and India, IMF says

By Thomson Reuters Oct 12, 2026 | 9:59 PM

BANGKOK, Oct 13 (Reuters) – The strong demand for AI has ​bolstered growth in ‌China, India and other Asian countries, outpacing the overall growth in global ‌trade, ​IMF chief ⁠economist Silvana Tenreyro said ⁠on Tuesday.

Global trade would have grown at a far slower rate ​without the AI boost, Tenreyro told ⁠reporters at ⁠the annual meetings ​of the IMF and ​World Bank in Bangkok.

Tenreyro ‌said the IMF remained concerned about high debt levels, urging ⁠countries to start cutting budgets to reduce deficits. She ⁠said ‌central bankers should ⁠pursue more restrictive ​policies, ‌including raising interest rates ​to ⁠get inflation rates back to target.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and David Lawder; Editing by John ​Mair)