Global economy shrugs off US tariff shock, tech spending does heavy lifting

The global economy has proved more resilient than many expected in the wake of US tariff shocks, with the International Monetary Fund now projecting worldwide growth of 3.3 percent in 2026 as a surge in AI investment helps offset trade disruption.

According to the IMF, the damage from higher US tariffs has so far been limited, with companies finding ways around the disruption by reshuffling supply chains and exports. The latest forecast is marginally stronger than in the autumn, suggesting the tariff hit has been more of a drag than a derailment.

"Remarkably, current projections are broadly unchanged from a year earlier, as the global economy shakes off the immediate impact of the tariff shock," it said.

According to the IMF, the key factor behind that resilience is a surge in technology-driven investment, particularly in the US, with AI playing a central role. In the States, IT spending now ...