TRENDS Research & Advisory participated in a panel discussion titled “Foresight into the Future of the Global Economic System”, organized by the Sea of Culture Foundation as part of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 activities.

The session was moderated by Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, who presented the center’s vision for anticipating the future of the global economy. He stressed the crucial importance of such foresight given the major changes the world is witnessing, pointing to the challenges posed by tariffs, trade wars, pandemics, and sanctions on global interconnectedness, which have resulted in intensified economic competition.

Dr. Al-Ali explained that the shift toward a more fragmented world threatens to reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains, and slow investment flows — all of which negatively impact economic growth. In this context, he highlighted the growing role of countries capable of building bridges between East and West, such as the United Arab Emirates, and emphasized the importance of knowledge and modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in forecasting global economic trends.

He expressed pride in TRENDS’ adoption of the theme “Foreseeing the Future through Artificial Intelligence” for this year, underscoring the center’s commitment to providing accurate and insightful foresight reports to decision-makers and researchers.

A Forward-Looking Vision

Abdulaziz Al-Shehhi, Senior Researcher Deputy Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS, presented his outlook on the future of the global economy, focusing on the concept of globalization, the implications of tariff policies, and his projections regarding their impact on the global system. He explained how globalization had intertwined world economies but noted the current setbacks driven by protectionism and geopolitical tensions. He also discussed the impact of tariffs on increasing production and trade costs, the potential for trade wars, and disruptions to supply chains.

Mr. Al-Shehhi outlined various scenarios for the future of the global system, ranging from the possibility of former President Trump reversing tariffs, to negotiations, agreements, the restructuring of globalization, and the emergence of regional economic blocs. He illustrated his ideas with real-world examples and emphasized the significance of specialized studies provided by TRENDS in assisting policymakers to navigate these transformations.

Mr. Al-Shehhi’s paper was met with considerable interest and appreciation from the audience, who engaged actively with the insights presented on the challenges and opportunities facing the global economy and the role of scientific research in anticipating the future.

The event opened broader horizons for dialogue around the future of the global economy and the challenges it faces.