The global trade landscape has fundamentally changed. What were once predictable trade pathways are now highly volatile international environments amplified by geopolitical instability, regulatory overhauls, and structural supply chain chokepoints. For business leaders, change and disruption are no longer the exception; they have become the baseline.
The BDO International Trade Policy Developments April–May 2026 Report explores how organisations can respond to this new reality by rethinking how global networks are understood, owned, and acted upon. Drawing on insights from BDO’s global network, the report reveals where organisations face critical exposure today and where legacy supply network strategies can no longer ensure competitive survival.
Key Insights from the Report include:
- Free Trade is No Longer Just About Tariffs - Traditional FTAs excel at lowering duties but no longer guarantee frictionless trade. Global commerce is increasingly restricted by complex non-tariff barriers, regulatory controls, and geopolitical alignment.
- Global Chokepoints and the Energy Re-Route - Maritime disruptions in critical corridors like the Strait of Hormuz are forcing countries across Asia to temporarily pivot back to alternative energy security measures, driving up regional coal demand and freight rates.
- The Rise and Targeting of "Connector Countries" - The U.S.-China trade friction has shifted toward targeting "connector countries" like Vietnam and Mexico. As intermediate goods are rerouted through these hubs, trade policies are tightening around rules of origin and compliance investigations.
This report sets out what businesses need to change, why it matters, and what leaders can do now to make the shift from a reactive supply chain to an agile, resilient global trade strategy.
Gain deeper insight into the global trading developments shaping 2026 and how leading organisations are responding.
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