Interventions drive trade policy surge in 2026, and other trade news to know

Global trade policy intervention reached an all-time high in early 2026 as governments increasingly turned to protectionist measures and state aid, according to new data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Trade Policy Activity Index, which covers 197 countries and territories, reveals:

"Understanding these shifts is increasingly important, as trade policy plays a growing role in shaping global supply chains, economic resilience and geopolitical dynamics," the researchers confirmed.

The new research comes as the US imposes sweeping new Section 301 tariffs on dozens of major trading partners. The move is the latest escalation in the ongoing trade disputes pursued by US President Donald Trump since returning to office.

The new tariffs apply to the top 60 US trading partners and cover more than 99% of US imports, with most rates ranging from 10% to 12.5%, although higher duties apply to selected products and trading partners.

The European Commission plans to establish a corporate advisory group this autumn to improve information sharing on supply chain risks, Bloomberg reports, as the European Union (EU) responds to a more interventionist global trade environment.

First proposed under the EU’s economic security strategy, the forum was delayed while officials structured how companies could share sensitive data without compromising confidentiality. The group will bring together businesses on an ad hoc basis to advise officials on specific risks, potential responses and de-risking strategies.

The move comes as governments increasingly focus on supply-chain resilience, industrial policy and economic security as part of trade strategy. Brussels is also assessing challenges linked to major trading partners, including China and the United States, from export restrictions and industrial competition to access to critical goods.

Trade tensions between the US and Canada have intensified. In July, the US announced new 50% tariffs on a targeted list of approximately $20 billion of Canadian imports, including products such as wine, dairy, cement and sporting goods. The tariffs were imposed under a provision of the Tariff Act of 1930 that is being used for the first time since the law was enacted nearly a century ago. They add to existing tariffs on sectors including steel, aluminum and automobiles, increasing uncertainty for businesses as the two countries continue discussions of the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

These EU trade security developments are also being watched in the UK, where the government is seeking closer ties with the EU while maintaining its own trade policy approach. The Financial Times has reported that greater use of EU trade defence measures could create challenges for Britain as it seeks to balance economic ties with Brussels and its independent trade priorities.

The Trump administration has introduced new restrictions on US imports of certain Chinese-made robots and connected power inverters, citing national security and cybersecurity concerns. The measures, implemented by the Federal Communications Commission, are intended to protect US AI-related supply chains and critical infrastructure and are expected to affect suppliers including Unitree, Sungrow and Huawei, says Reuters.

This comes as Ford CEO Jim Farley told employees the company is preparing for the possibility that Chinese automakers could enter the US market within five to 10 years, Reuters reports. Ford is developing lower-cost electric vehicles to compete with Chinese rivals such as BYD, despite existing US trade barriers on Chinese vehicles.

Australia and Singapore have signed a protocol on economic resilience and essential supplies to strengthen cooperation on critical supply chains and trade, Reuters reports. The agreement forms part of an existing free trade pact between the two countries and aims to improve resilience against global supply disruptions.

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