Trading patterns: Global and regional perspectives

World merchandise trade in value terms fell by 3 per cent in 2016 following a 13 per cent slump recorded in 2015, with trade growth remaining negative or static for the world’s leading traders. China remained the top trader but its share of world merchandise trade declined for the first time since 1996. Exporters of commodities, particularly fuels and mining products, continued to be hit by a decline in commodity prices. Europe was the best performing region in 2016, with a flat growth rate in the value of its merchandise trade, compared with a decline of 3 per cent for North America and 4 per cent for Asia.