16 Apr Global trade faces its biggest crisis in 80 years
Posted at 05:42h
in Economy, Globalization, International trade, social economy, Supply chain, Tariffs, Trade policy
The World Trade Organization warns that the international trading system is going through its most severe crisis in decades, driven by geopolitical tensions and tariff policies.
Main idea:
Global trade is undergoing a historic disruption that is weakening international rules and increasing economic uncertainty.
What does the analysis reveal?
- Trade tensions, especially between the U.S. and China, have caused the biggest disruption in 80 years.
- The WTO rules-based system is weakening and fragmenting.
- Less trade is occurring under stable and predictable conditions (decline of the multilateral system).
- Tariffs and unilateral decisions are reshaping global trade.
- A slowdown or even contraction in global trade is expected.
What does this mean?
- Greater uncertainty and global economic fragmentation.
- Risk of slower growth and supply chain disruptions.
- A structural shift in how international trade operates.
Global trade is not collapsing, but it is transforming into a more fragmented, less predictable system shaped by geopolitics.
Source:
13 April 2026 – OMC: Global tarde faces its biggest crisis in 80 years – El Financiero https://www.elfinancierocr.com/internacionales/omc-comercio-global-sufre-su-mayor-crisis-en-80/PRJQWOVXJVEGPO5MPMKSBR4AJU/story/