The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on December 3 released its annual Trade Monitoring Report, with Vietnam among 46 members actively providing data for the assessment of global trade developments.

A cargo port in Hamburg, Germany.

The report notes that between mid-October 2024 and mid-October 2025, new tariffs and other import measures affected 2.64 trillion USD worth of global merchandise imports, equivalent to 11.1% of total imports and more than four times higher than the previous period’s 611 billion USD, marking the highest level in more than 15 years.

On the export side, the measures impacted around 2.966 trillion USD of trade, over three times the 888 billion USD recorded a year earlier.

Alongside this trend, WTO members and observers also introduced more measures for facilitating trade in goods. During the review period, 331 new measures were launched, covering an estimated 2.09 trillion USD in trade, about 1.5 times higher than the 1.441 trillion USD shown in the previous report.

Addressing the WTO Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB), Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stressed that the surge in tariff measures highlights a marked increase in protectionism since the year's beginning.

Nearly 20% of global imports are now affected by tariffs and similar measures introduced since 2009, up from 12.6% just a year ago.

She also welcomed members’ efforts to prioritise dialogue over retaliation, enabling smoother cross-border trade flows. The WTO chief urged members to use the current momentum to advance long-delayed WTO reforms and address concerns related to recent unilateral actions.

WTO economists forecast global merchandise trade to grow by 2.4% in 2025 and 0.5% in 2026. Better-than-expected growth in the first half of 2025 is attributed to front-loading of imports ahead of tariff changes, stronger demand for AI-related products, and continuous trade expansion among most members, particularly developing economies.

In trade remedies, the reviewed period saw an average of 32.3 new investigations per month—lower than the 2024 peak of 37.3. Although investigations do not necessarily lead to duties, a higher initiation number often signals the risk of more measures to be imposed.

The average number of cases with terminated trade-remedy actions remained low, at 11.4 per month, indicating that many measures continue to be in force. Anti-dumping actions accounted for 46.5% of all trade-related measures covered in the report.

In services, WTO members introduced 124 new measures, mainly aimed at facilitating trade and improving legal frameworks. More than half were cross-sectoral, with 50% related to commercial presence (mode 3) and 25% to the movement of professionals (mode 4). Around 20% targeted Internet-based and digital network services.

The report also highlights rising support measures for key sectors such as the environment, energy, and agriculture, and notes a possible shift toward non-financial interventions to pursue broader strategic policy goals.

WTO members also raised numerous trade concerns at WTO committees and agencies, reaffirming these bodies' role as key platforms for addressing trade-related issues.

Vietnam, Guangxi (China) expand trade promotion, business ties

Guangxi plays a strategic role in Vietnam–China economic relations. Trade with Guangxi accounts for a significant share of Vietnam-China trade. For 25 consecutive years, Vietnam has been Guangxi’s largest trading partner, while Guangxi remains one of China’s top provinces in trade volume with Vietnam.

 

Vietnam, EU seek to expand cooperation in trade, investment

The two sides agreed to expand high-quality investment projects; strengthen supply-chain linkages; promote cooperation in areas related to sustainable development, green transition, and digital transformation; and further improve mechanisms and policies to facilitate both sides' business operations.

 

Bac Ninh maintain growth momentum in trade, import-export activities

BAC NINH – Since the beginning of this year, the trade and import-export activities in the northern province of Bac Ninh have continued to maintain positive growth momentum.

Bac Ninh showcases products at 25th Vietnam–China International Trade Fair

BAC NINH - The 25th Vietnam - China International Trade Fair opened on November 20 at the Kim Thanh Exhibition and Convention Center in Lao Cai City, running from November 20 to 24.

Support provided to union members for purchases at “Trade Union Tet Market – Spring 2026”

BAC NINH - As part of the online “Trade Union Tet Market – Spring 2026” programme, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) is providing more than 8,200 shopping vouchers, each worth 500,000 VND (21 USD), to trade union members and officials in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

Vietnam – Singapore trade hits record high

During the 10-month period, bilateral trade exceeded the full-year 2024 record of 31.67 billion SGD to increase 26.7% from a year earlier to 33 billion SGD.