On 2 September 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 31 August 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of hulled rice, semi-whitened or whitened rice, polished or glazed, and broken rice.

3 September 2026

Global trade opens opportunities for economic growth. However, moving goods across borders, between exporters and importers, involves counterparty risk such as payment and liquidity risk. Trade finance facilitates trade by mitigating these risks.Using a new dataset, we find that volatile global financial conditions constrict the availability of trade finance, especially in emerging markets and developing countries. In addition, the level of development of local financial markets influences the supply of trade finance by global institutions.

3 September 2026

This year’s Public Forum, entitled Powering the Future, will feature 113 sessions – with a focus on trade in services – from 15 to 17 September. Sessions are organized by WTO member governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, academia and international organizations, with many sessions livestreamed on the WTO website.

1 September 2026

On 28 August 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 13 August 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of self-adhesive labels, packaging and other printed items on paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles or other similar materials.

28 August 2026

At a meeting on 28 August of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), WTO members adopted a panel report regarding the European Union’s anti-dumping duties on imports of fatty acid from Indonesia.

28 August 2026

The deadline for online registration for this year’s in-person Public Forum, which will take place on 15, 16 and 17 September, is 21 August 2026 (23.59 CET). Late and onsite registrations will not be accepted.

18 August 2026

On 5 August 2026, the United Kingdom notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated, on the same day, a safeguard investigation on imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

5 August 2026

The WTO will host the first World Trade and Tech Day on 14 September at its headquarters in Geneva, bringing together trade and information and communications technology (ICT) policymakers, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) strategies can better support economies' efforts to maximize the gains of international trade.

3 August 2026

World merchandise trade growth exceeded expectations in the first quarter of 2026 as surging trade in electronic components related to artificial intelligence (AI) offset the negative impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which began in the final month of the quarter. Trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to be more fully captured in trade data for the next quarter.

31 July 2026

Brazil has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding additional US duties on products originating in Brazil as a result of two investigations by the United States under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. Brazil said the additional duties are above the duties otherwise applicable under the US harmonized tariff schedule. The request was circulated to WTO members on 30 July.

30 July 2026