Trade policies have become one of the main factors redefining global trade. Beyond tariffs, governments are increasingly resorting to instruments such as import restrictions, subsidies, and other protectionist measures that alter the functioning of global supply chains , according to the World Trade Organization (WTO) .
In its most recent update of the Trade Policy Activity Index (TPA) , developed by the WTO and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) , it was indicated that trade regulatory activity continued to accelerate, reaching a new all-time high in early 2026 , the most pronounced since data collection began.
The indicator reflected that between January and May of this year, global trade policy activity nearly doubled its 2024 level and stood approximately 25% above its 2025 average, confirming that government intervention in international trade continues to intensify.
According to the document, this behavior reflects an increasingly frequent use of trade policy for objectives that go beyond the exchange of goods, such as industrial policy, economic security, and the protection of strategic sectors.
Economists from both organizations identified that the turning point began after episodes such as the US-China tariff escalation between 2018 and 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. These factors were compounded by trade tensions during 2025, which continue this year.
One of the report’s main findings is the shift in the composition of trade measures. While actions aimed at facilitating trade—such as simplifying customs procedures or reducing barriers—have lost momentum in recent years (with the exception of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, where they accounted for more than two-thirds of all measures taken), restrictive actions have become more prevalent .
The study indicated that tariff increases, quantitative restrictions, import bans, and other trade control mechanisms are the main drivers of the growth observed in the index.
The increase in trade measures is no longer concentrated in the major economies . Although G20 countries continue to register the largest spikes in activity, this behavior has spread to smaller economies, reflecting a transformation of the global trade environment .
According to the report, trade policy activity is expected to continue increasing throughout the rest of 2026.
For companies linked to logistics, transport and foreign trade, this scenario implies a more complex regulatory environment, where the ability to adapt supply routes, diversify suppliers and respond to regulatory changes will be increasingly crucial to maintaining competitiveness.
Trade policy decisions no longer only affect market access, but also the configuration of supply chains, operational resilience, and foreign trade costs.
The analysis comes in a context where the United States has imposed tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners, including Mexico, under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on forced labor, further complicating international trade.
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