### Trade Governance

Reimagining trade and investment frameworks in a fragmented global economy


## Conflict, sanctions and the future of world trade

The Russian invasion of Ukraine met with unprecedented trade and other economic sanctions. Some members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) revoked Russia’s most-favoured-nation (MFN) status, allowing them to raise barriers to trade with Russia. There are consequences of heightened geopolitical tensions on the global trading system.

[Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/conflict-sanctions-and-the-future-of-world-trade/)


### Trade and values

Countries are increasingly using trade policy to pursue non-trade objectives (NTOs) like climate change and human rights, complicating global trade. Geopolitical tensions, such as the US-China dispute over forced labor, highlight the challenges of aligning trade with values. For businesses, this trend creates tension between economic efficiency and social responsibility. Balancing values with open trade is crucial to maintaining global prosperity, especially for developing countries

[Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/trade-and-values-navigating-the-intersection-of-policy-and-principles/)


## Articles

Explore our thought leadership and analysis.


### The future of global trade? Introducing the trade patchwork mode

Aparna Bharadwaj & Kasey Maggard

[Link](The future of global trade? Introducing the trade patchwork mode)


### The world still needs the WTO - and it's being reformed for the age of AI

Tarek Sultan

[Link](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/the-world-trade-organization-is-reforming-for-the-age-of-ai/)


### Global trade isn’t retreating – it’s adapting. Here's how

Tobias Meyer

[Link](Global trade isn’t retreating – it’s adapting. Here's how)


### What to expect from the US-China trade talks

Weihuan Zhou & Stephen Olson

[Link](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/05/what-to-expect-from-us-china-trade-talks/)


## Videos

Watch high-level discussions from our events.


### Many shapes of trade

[Watch the session](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/many-shapes-of-trade/)


### Trade deals or disputes?

[Watch the session](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/trade-deals-or-disputes/)


### Changing nature of trade

[Watch the session](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/the-changing-nature-of-trade/)


### Debating tariffs

[Watch the session](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/debating-tariffs/)