Chamber Pulse 2025: Major Global Challenges Shaping Corporate Strategies September 10, 2025

Inflation, geopolitical tensions, and trade disruptions are strongly shaping corporate strategies, while the role of artificial intelligence in business continues to grow, according to Chamber Pulse 2025 – the flagship economic report of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF).

The report was presented at the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne and is based on a survey covering 230 chambers of commerce from 110 countries, together representing around 90 percent of global GDP. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia also participated in the survey.

This year’s edition of ICC Pulse highlights a cautiously positive global economic environment, but also sharp regional differences. While tariff and inflation challenges dominate in North America, Europe, and Central Asia face a particular shortage of labor. In East Asia and the Pacific, geopolitical pressures are strongest, in Sub-Saharan Africa, businesses struggle with limited access to finance, while in South Asia, taxation represents a significant burden.

The survey shows that political and market uncertainty is increasingly replacing tariffs as the main challenge for businesses. As many as 74 percent of chambers cite uncertainty as the biggest obstacle, compared to 59 percent that still point to tariffs. Inflation remains a persistent factor – prices have risen in more than 90 percent of economies, with 39 percent reporting significant increases.

Companies are adapting with a range of strategies, primarily diversification of export markets, passing on or absorbing costs, and seeking alternative suppliers, while relocation of production remains a less frequent occurrence.

Particular attention was drawn to findings on the use of artificial intelligence. As many as 80 percent of chambers view this technology positively, and widespread adoption has grown to 22 percent, up from 16 percent in 2024. Asia leads in readiness to adopt AI solutions, although significant barriers remain in terms of skills shortages and limited access to data.

During the Congress, WCF also presented key initiatives to be implemented in the coming period. Among them are the Phoenix project, aimed at reviving multilateral trade, the digitalization of global trade through the ICC DSI program, and preparations for COP30, where business will play a significant role in climate and industrial investments.

The full Chamber Pulse 2025 report is available in Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Turkish at [link].