WTO says trade buoyant despite high oil prices

Western European imports of merchandise from economies in Central and Eastern Europe have outstripped those from North America for the first time, according to new figures published by the WTO today.

"The European Union’s enlargement again provided a stimulus for trade flows between Western Europe and the transition economies", a WTO statement read.

"For the first time, Western Europe’s merchandise imports from the latter exceeded those originating from North America".

The s...