A recent report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) reveals a sharp escalation in protectionist measures impacting global merchandise imports. Despite this unprecedented increase in the value of trade affected by new tariffs and other restrictions, the same period has seen an increase in trade facilitation measures, demonstrating the dual nature of the current trade environment.
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The WTO Director-General's latest annual review of the international trading environment has revealed a worrying trend: the value of global imports of goods affected by new tariffs and other restrictive measures It increased more than fourfold between mid-October 2024 and mid-October 2025.
This value, which amounts to 2.640 trillion US dollars –equivalent to 11,1% of total world imports–, represents the highest amount recorded in more than 15 years WTO trade surveillance. If similar measures applied to exports are included, the total trade affected amounts to approximately 2.966 billion dollarstripling the figures from the previous report.
La WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaHe emphasized the seriousness of the situation: "The sharp increase in trade coverage of tariffs reflects the increased protectionism that we have seen since the beginning of the year. Almost a fifth ( 19,7%.) of global imports are now affected by tariffs and other such measures introduced since 2009, compared to 12,6% just a year ago."
However, the report also highlights a parallel and positive action. During the same period, WTO Members and observers implemented 331 new measures aimed at facilitating trade of goods. These measures covered an estimated trade in 2.090 billion dollarsThis represents an increase of approximately 1,5 times compared to the previous period, and underlines the members' willingness to prioritize dialogue.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala added that the members "They are acting to facilitate trade and engaging in dialogue instead of retaliation.", which it's “It speaks to the value they continue to see in maintaining smooth cross-border trade flows”He urged WTO Members to take advantage of the current disruptions to "to promote long-delayed reforms of the WTO".
Additional Projections and Trends
WTO economists estimate global merchandise trade growth of 2,4% in 2025 and the 0,5% in 2026This growth forecast for 2025 is attributed, in part, to strong demand for products related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to the continued growth of trade, especially in developing economies.
Regarding trade policy tools, the trade corrective measures (particularly the antidumping*) continue to be fundamental for many members, representing the 46,5% of all measures Regarding goods recorded in the report, an average of 32,3 new investigations per month was observed, just below the peak of 2024.
Regarding trade in services124 new measures were introduced, in line with recent years, mainly focused on facilitating or improving regulatory frameworks. More than half of these affected the provision of services through the commercial presence (mode 3) and a fifth went to the services enabled by networks and the InternetFinally, the report highlights a increase in general economic support measures, with a growing focus on strategic sectors such as the environment, energy and agriculture, indicating a possible shift towards non-financial interventions.
