WBG now projects East Asia and Pacific growth of 4.5% this year, a 0.3ppt upward revision from its April forecast; growth is seen easing to 4.4% in 2027 and 4.3% in 2028. Vietnam received the largest upgrade, +1.1ppt to 7.4%. WBG warns regional resilience is highly dependent on AI-related manufacturing and exports, increasing vulnerability to a global tech-spending reversal. Excluding these products, regional trade growth is weak or negative; AI-linked goods account for over 50% of export growth

WBG now projects East Asia and Pacific growth of 4.5% this year, a 0.3ppt upward revision from its April forecast; growth is seen easing to 4.4% in 2027 and 4.3% in 2028. Vietnam received the largest upgrade, +1.1ppt to 7.4%. WBG warns regional resilience is highly dependent on AI-related manufacturing and exports, increasing vulnerability to a global tech-spending reversal. Excluding these products, regional trade growth is weak or negative; AI-linked goods account for over 50% of export growth in most economies and exceed 70% in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.