PC: CNBC

According to a recent analysis by DHL Express and the NYU Stern School of Business, predictions that global trade would slow down as supply networks repositioned through nearshoring and reshoring of manufacturing operations are not coming true.

Despite the challenges posed by Covid, the global economic recession, and the conflict in Ukraine, trade is predicted to expand a little bit quicker in 2022 and 2023 than it did in the previous decade.

According to John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, “globalisation did not lead to regionalization.” “We have observed some supply chains to the emerging markets being fine-tuned. The winner is undoubtedly Vietnam.

Cross-border trucking issues and Chinese lockdowns did have an impact on manufacturing, the report noted, but predictions that businesses would move their production near-shore or back to domestic facilities as a result of “zero Covid” measures in China and associated supply chain issues did not materialise.

Due to the speed and scale of its rise, Vietnam improved its position in international trade.

According to Steve Altman, senior research scholar and head of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern, “This combination is attractive for trading partners.” It indicates that the nation has the size to maintain its rate of growth.

Philippines and India were the other newly developing trade-expanding regions.

In their rush to entice more manufacturing partnerships and trade, emerging nations are importing more raw materials and implementing more technology.

PC: CNBC

According to Pearson, “These changes in trade patterns reflect more on the quality of the goods than the quantity in the developing market countries,” referring to the speed at which innovation and technology adoption in these nations has aided in raising their position.

.In a separate interview with “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday, Pearson stated that even a few years ago it wasn’t clear that the manufacturing shifts within emerging markets would take place under the concept known as “China + 1, + 2, + 3,” but it is definitely occurring now, “in a gradual but consistent way.”

Companies have been obliged to modify their trade operations as a result of inflation and the slowdown in the economy (the domestic GDP has been negative for two consecutive quarters).

Altman stated that trade and GDP growth are related. “In an era of rising inflation, businesses must become more efficient and produce goods at reduced costs. To do it, businesses must hunt for the best access available globally.

But Altman claimed that this may promote trade growth. Macroeconomic trends are present in the short term, but he added that this does not indicate a widespread retreat from trade.

As the U.S.’s busiest shipping season gets underway, the short-term prognosis is still unclear, according to Pearson.

Fedex issued an earnings warning for its fiscal first quarter on Thursday following the market’s closing, which was 33% below its earlier expectation. The carrier cited operating expenses and weaker worldwide demand, and it withdrew its full-year forecast.

“We have seen good growth in the United States, but nobody is certain of the kind of the peak season we will have. Whether individuals stop browsing and start buying will depend on how the holiday shopping season plays out, according to Pearson.

Despite the fairly gloomy environment we’re in, he remarked in a previous interview with Squawk Box Europe that “trading continues to be very durable.”