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Article archive

These articles explore themes pertinent to the Trade in Transition programme beyond the report.

Supported byDP World
2025
Is sustainability in trade stalling?Sustainability efforts in global trade face political pushback, but businesses remain committed. Regulation, rather than climate impact, drives corporate action on supply-chain sustainability.
Techno-optimismAI helps supply-chain managers with real-time forecasting and dynamic supplier management. There are opportunities to create value with AI but businesses need to address risks like data security and algorithmic bias.
Egypt’s new trade order: geopolitics, energy and AIEgypt’s trade future: navigating geopolitical and energy shifts, and embracing technology for resilient supply chains.
2024
The impacts of non-tariff measures on the global economySince 2019, there has been a sharp increase in the number of trade-restrictive policies, particularly of non-tariff measures (NTMs). How are these policies likely to evolve, and what are their effects on global welfare?
The role of neutral countries in global tradePragmatic and materially-oriented, neutral countries can benefit greatly from geoeconomic fragmentation, but not without also facing challenges.
Shipping CostsGlobal trade faces a challenging future with disruptions causing cost increases, uneven impacts, and the need for more resilient supply chains.
US Election & TradeWhen it comes to trade, Messrs Biden and Trump no longer seem Still, differences do remain in their approach to global trade and who is elected for a second term in November will have a significant impact on consumers and businesses alike.
Servicing the supply chain: Value-add despite ongoing barriers for businessGlobal supply chains face increasing disruptions due to climate change, impacting delivery, production, and costs. Strategies discussed in this article are crucial for resilience.
Climate change's disruptive impact on global supply chains and the urgent call for resilienceAmid uncertainty, global services trade, driven by digital services, sees growth. But there are still barriers to embedding services for competitiveness. Find out how these barriers can be overcome.
2023
Six months on: a review of trade trendsHow are key trade trends such as diversification and just-in-case supply chains faring in 2023 so far?
Building walls: national security and tradeUnderstand what sectors national security policies are impacting and what effect this is having for business.
How will labour market trends respond to global shocks?Understand how geopolitical, economic and technological shocks will imapct labour markets across the globe.
Man vs machine: digitalisation for resilienceHow can digital technologies be leveraged to build more resilience in the supply chain? And, what role will people have in an increasingly digital world?
ESG for competitiveness in business – the next chapterUnderstand how technologies are helping businesses to reach their ESG goals.
Life after industrialisation – Servicification?Explore key trends associated with servicification and whether developing countries can leapfrog the industrialisation phase toward development by focusing on services?
2022
Drivers of regionalisation and localisation in tradeHow are regional free trade agreements, the role of the WTO and micromanufacturing driving regionalisation and localisation?
Essential elements for digital trade governanceHow has digital trade governance progressed and what are the key considerations for inclusivity?
Pathways to profitability amid supply-chain disruptionsWhat supply-chain strategies are companies adopting to improve profitability in a disruptive and inflationary trading environment?
A new era in services trade: The “servicification” of manufacturingHow can tech adoption, sustainability priorities and digital trade agreements accelerate the “servicification” of global value chains?
Unpacking food inflation: supply-chain disruptions and energy pricesHow are supply-chain disruptions and high energy prices driving increases in global food prices?
Inflation trade-offs in South American tradeWhat do high commodity prices mean for the trade outlook in South America?
Five years of Trade in Transition