Economy Minister says Saudi Arabia leveraged global trade shifts

Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning

Saudi Arabia has been able to manage and benefit from the changes taking place in international trade, Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim stated.

Speaking at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (ACEME), Alibrahim said the Kingdom is better prepared for these shifts, supported by diversification efforts under Vision 2030.

He said Saudi Arabia has assumed a more pivotal role in global trade and capitalized on opportunities arising from the evolving international landscape.

Alibrahim went on to say that the rules-based global trading system is under increasing pressure, making resilience a decisive factor. Countries with more flexible systems and strong institutional capabilities are better positioned to confront challenges, he added.

He stressed that global trade is not coming to an end, noting that trade and investment remain central pillars for many economies, particularly emerging markets, which will continue to seek the uninterrupted flow of trade.

Alibrahim said that US–China trade tensions will result in a reallocation of global trade, not a retreat, requiring continuous adjustments as periods of pressure reflect institutional imbalances rather than failure.

He added that reallocation and adaptation are complex, multi-dimensional processes that vary across countries.

For emerging market economies, he said the current environment represents a period of strategic choice rather than a temporary disruption, offering an opportunity to shape adaptation to the evolving trade system, identify new sources of value, and leverage strong institutions to turn adjustment costs into competitive advantages.

Alibrahim stressed the importance of speed and flexibility in decision-making, noting that delays carry cumulative costs, whereas countries able to accelerate decision cycles while maintaining credibility can turn speed into a strategic advantage.

The minister affirmed that a new global trade order is emerging, emphasizing the need to account for fragmented reallocation and a different form of globalization centered on unlocking latent potential.

The Saudi minister said greater predictability enhances the ability to respond through agreed-upon rules.