AI Data Center Growth Drove 40 Percent Rise in Related Trade in 2025

Research from the McKinsey Global Institute found that shipments of chips, servers, and networking equipment needed for data centers increased almost 40 percent in 2025. The rise accounted for one-third of global trade growth. The United States represented about half of new data-center capacity added during the year.

AI-related trade in the country grew by two-thirds, reaching an estimated $220 billion.

A data center may be located in the United States and use American-designed semiconductors, yet its components originate across multiple countries. Chips are fabricated in Taiwan, extreme-ultraviolet lithography machines are produced in the Netherlands, and memory chips come from South Korea. Mexican turbines and Chilean copper supply power.

-based firms hold leading positions in semiconductor sales, research, design, and process technology. The 2022 CHIPS Act and related programs aim to expand production along the semiconductor supply chain. U.S. facilities. High-performance memory chips experienced shortages in 2025, with nearly all production located in South Korea.

Washington has tightened export controls on advanced semiconductors, high-bandwidth memory, and chipmaking tools to China. Beijing has restricted exports of rare earths and related materials. McKinsey Global Institute analysis shows trading partners have moved closer together on geopolitical issues since 2017.

The study measures this shift through a metric called geopolitical distance. Data centers also require conventional inputs such as air conditioning units, generators, cement, and wiring. The authors state that AI leadership will increase trade in services, including model training and data hosting.