The last commercial surveillance report of the G-20, published by the WTO, he emphasizes largest increase in history within the scope of the organization's trade oversight. The value of merchandise trade among G-20 economies covered by the new tariffs and other restrictive measures It has skyrocketed to reach approximately 2.599 trillions of dollars between mid-October 2024 and mid-October 2025. This figure represents the 14,3 % of its total imports, exceeding by more than four times the 599.000 million recorded in the previous period. Adding similar measures to exports, the total trade affected amounts to approximately 2.900 trillions of dollars.
Despite this sudden increase in protectionism, the G-20 economies have introduced a significant number of trade facilitation measures during the same period. They were recorded 184 new measures of this type, covering an estimated value of 2.055 trillions of dollarsThis is almost double the $1.070 trillion figure in the previous report. This demonstrates an effort by members to reduce trade costs, even as barriers are being erected on other fronts.
The CEO of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, commenting on the findings: “Even as the global trading system supports the most severe disruptions in 80 years, trade is showing a considerable resilience, since most members of the WTO They continue to trade with each other normally. This latest monitoring report gives us new figures to illustrate the realities on the ground. We see protectionist measures that affect a substantially larger share of world trade. At the same time, we see many trade facilitation measuresThis reflects members' desire to reduce trade costs even as barriers increase elsewhere. It is welcome news that we see a ongoing dialogue instead of an escalation of reprisals. The members of the WTO They should take advantage of this moment to to establish trade on a firmer foundation through reform and repositioning of the WTO. "
La accumulation of measures that affect imports, which had remained constant since the 2008-09 global financial crisis, have experienced strong growth. A year ago, the 12,9 % G-20 imports were affected; that share has now jumped to 22,0 %.
In the services sector, the G-20 introduced 52 new measures, of which more than two thirds were oriented to facilitate trade. Approximately the 43 % These measures were implemented through commercial presence and the movement of professionals.
Economists of the WTO They estimate that the growth of world trade of goods will be of 2,4% in 2025 and the 0,5% in 2026Stronger-than-expected growth was observed in the first half of 2025, driven by the anticipation of importsa strong demand for products related to artificial intelligence and the continued growth of trade among most members, especially developing economies. The report also highlights a greater dialogue and efforts to negotiate commercial solutions between trading partners.
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