The World Trade Organization (WTO) has released its mid-year update to the Secretariat's annual Trade Monitoring Report, which highlights significant changes in global trade and related policies from mid-October 2024 to mid-May 2025. The report notes a sharp increase in tariffs affecting world merchandise imports, with figures rising from 12.5% six months ago to 19.4% now.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commented on these findings: “This Trade Monitoring Update reflects the disruptions we have been seeing in the global trading environment, with a sharp increase in tariffs. Only six months ago, about 12.5 per cent of world merchandise imports were impacted by such measures that had accumulated since 2009. That share has now jumped to 19.4 per cent."
The value of global merchandise trade affected by new tariffs and similar measures during this period reached US$2,732.7 billion, more than tripling from the previous reporting period's US$887.6 billion. This represents the highest level of trade coverage by new measures recorded since WTO monitoring began in 2009.
Okonjo-Iweala emphasized ongoing dialogue for negotiated solutions amid the current trade crisis: "Yet amid the current trade crisis, we see encouraging signs of dialogue in pursuit of negotiated solutions." She urged WTO members to engage further for reforms and address underlying issues.
Increased efforts for negotiation are noted following recent U.S.-initiated trade actions justified on national security and economic grounds. The U.S.-China agreement on May 14 curtailed mutual tariff hikes, followed by further discussions between the United States and United Kingdom resulting in a deal announced on May 8.
Despite challenges, many WTO members continue efforts to facilitate trade, including services. During this review period, there were 644 trade measures undertaken by members and observers; among them were anti-dumping investigations covering US$63.9 billion in trade.
Other notable findings include an increase in import tariffs driving up total trade coverage to US$2,732.7 billion during this period—largely linked to developments since early 2025—and significant facilitation measures estimated at US$1,038.6 billion despite a decrease from previous levels.
In services, new measures adopted show commitment towards facilitating service trades even amidst challenging conditions globally while economic support mechanisms like subsidies or export incentives remain crucial components but are shifting focus toward broader objectives such as climate change mitigation or national security concerns due partly due increased regulatory barriers post-April 2025.