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The latest trade monitoring report by the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO), released on July 3, 2025, reveals a sharp increase in new tariff measures and the share of global trade affected by tariff policies between October 2024 and May 2025.
These developments have contributed to an increasingly unstable and unpredictable global trade environment. Nonetheless, despite mounting trade policy tensions, geopolitical risks, and regional conflicts, most WTO members have remained actively engaged in negotiation-based solutions to resolve trade disputes.
The WTO Director-General observed that amid the current trade crisis, there are encouraging signs of dialogue and efforts toward negotiated resolutions.
The WTO trade monitoring update notes significant shifts in the global trade environment, particularly the widespread impact of new tariff measures on both the volume and value of goods traded.
The value of global goods trade affected by new tariffs and related measures during the review period is estimated at USD 2.7327 trillion—more than triple the USD 887.6 billion reported in the previous period. This represents the highest level of trade protectionism recorded since the WTO began monitoring trade policies in 2009.
Following a series of U.S. trade actions since early 2025—most of which were invoked on grounds of national security and economic emergency—trade dialogue has intensified, and many efforts have been made to find solutions through negotiation. Despite ongoing trade policy uncertainty, WTO members continue to pursue trade facilitation, including in the services sector.
Between mid-October 2024 and mid-May 2025, WTO members implemented a total of 644 trade-related measures on goods. Of these, anti-dumping measures accounted for the largest share, with 296 cases initiated or applied, representing 46% of all measures.
However, despite the highest number of anti-dumping investigations initiated in over a decade, the value of trade affected was only about USD 63.9 billion—significantly lower than the USD 100 billion reported in the previous period—accounting for just 0.26% of global goods trade.
Additionally, 141 other restrictive trade measures were recorded, including import tariff increases and export restrictions, alongside 207 trade facilitation measures.
The total value of trade affected by protectionist measures (excluding anti-dumping) during the review period is estimated at approximately USD 2.7327 trillion—the highest figure recorded since 2009—primarily driven by increased import tariffs. Of this, around 83% (equivalent to USD 2.2613 trillion) is directly linked to trade policy changes enacted since early 2025.
Conversely, the value of trade benefiting from facilitation measures during the same period reached only USD 1.0386 trillion, down from USD 1.4404 trillion in the previous report. This reflects a growing trend among countries toward strengthening domestic production protection, particularly through import-restrictive policies.
In the services sector, 34 WTO members and four observers implemented a total of 69 new measures—fewer than in the same period of 2024. Most of these measures reflect a positive commitment by countries to facilitate services trade through market opening, liberalization of supply conditions, and legal framework improvements, despite global trade volatility.
On the industrial policy front, economic support measures—such as subsidies, stimulus packages, state aid, and export incentives—remain critical. However, since April 2025, amid rising trade barriers, the use of direct support tools has declined, replaced by regulatory instruments. These measures are increasingly shifting focus from pure economic growth to broader priorities such as climate change mitigation, supply chain security, and national security.
To protect their legitimate interests, manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnam Antidumping Law Firm specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
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