The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, April 15, edition that OPEC has decreased its 2025 global oil demand growth forecast for the first time since December, citing first quarter data and U.S. trade tariffs. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that in its monthly report, the organization now projects an increase of 1.3 million barrels per day in 2025 and 1.28 million b/d in 2026, both down by 150,000 b/d from last month's estimates. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs as well as a plan for higher output by OPEC+ have put downward pressure on oil prices this month and raised concern about economic growth. In the report, OPEC lowered its world economic growth forecast this year to 3 per cent from 3.1 per cent and reduced next year's to 3.1 per cent from 3.2 per cent. Last month, OPEC said trade concerns would contribute to volatility but had kept forecasts steady, saying the global economy would adjust. OPEC said in Monday's report, "The global economy showed a steady growth trend at the beginning of the year, however, recent trade-related dynamics have introduced higher uncertainty to the short-term global economic growth outlook." OPEC's oil demand view is still at the higher end of industry forecasts.
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