World trade has contracted sharply as global demand has collapsed. U.S., European, and Chinese demand for world goods dried up in the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009. But optimism is growing that recession may be nearing a bottom. Will there be signs of “green shoots” in trade as well?

Setser: Minus Twenty
FT: World Trade
Willis: U.S. Economy-Trade Gap Widens as Exports Decrease
Gongloff: Can China’s Consumers Replaces the U.S.’s?
Winning: Euro Zone Posts Trade Surplus