3D printing: a threat to global trade

24 October 2017

A recent ING report explores the major effects the 3D printing revolution could have on trade flows. It explains that because 3D printing reduces the role of labour, once the technology is widespread, offshoring production to low wage countries will no longer make economic sense. The result: more things used locally will also be produced locally, reducing trade flows. According to one scenario, world trade could be 40% less by 2040.
Global transport, logistical sectors and ports, and countries like the Netherlands that play a key role in the movement of goods between large export and import markets, will need to adapt to lower trade flows (News Item ING, 9 October 2017).
Click here for the news item.
Click here for the report (416 kB).

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