World
Global Trade Hits $35 Trillion, but Barriers Hold Developing Countries Back
World trade reached a record $35 trillion in 2025, while technological and policy barriers limited developing countries’ participation.
What happened
Global trade reached a record $35 trillion in 2025, according to UNCTAD. The UN trade and development agency said developing countries were prevented from participating more fully in the global economy because of new technological and policy barriers. The available source does not provide further detail on those barriers or their specific effects.
Why it matters
Trade growth reached a new high, but developing countries did not share fully in greater global economic participation because of the cited barriers.
Source: UN News