IMF lifts 2026 global growth forecast but flags AI, trade risksAFP, WASHINGTON, United StatesThe IMF yesterday upgraded its global growth forecast for this year, citing a boost from tech investments but warning that a reevaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) productivity gains or renewed trade tensions could bring disruptions. World economic growth is projected to hold steady at 3.3 percent this year, the IMF said, raising its forecast by 0.2 percentage points from October last year. The strikedown of some duties would “inject another dose of trade policy uncertainty into the global economy,” Gourinchas added. Besides trade, the AI boom pushing the global economy forward comes with its own risks, Gourinchas said. Most of the upward revision in global growth this time was accounted for by the US and China, the IMF said.

Source: Taipei Times January 19, 2026 16:06 UTC