Global Trade Policy Interventions Reach Record High in 2026, Driven by Protectionist Measures

New data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that global trade policy intervention reached an all-time high in early 2026. The surge is overwhelmingly driven by restrictive measures such as tariff hikes, import bans, and subsidies, with activity nearly double 2024 levels. This trend, observed across both G20 and non-G20 economies, signals a significant shift towards protectionism with an elevated short-term outlook for further increases.