United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report reveals non-tariff measures impose higher trade costs than tariffs for 88% of countries.

Exam-focused facts from the 11 May 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

UNCTAD's May 2026 report titled 'Invisible Barriers: The Costs of Non-Tariff Measures' finds that non-tariff measures (NTMs) now generate higher export costs than tariffs for 88% of countries globally.
Developing economies face a 'double burden' as global tariffs on exports rose by 16% for developing countries and 18% for least developed countries (LDCs) in 2025.
Improving transparency around trade regulations could reduce trade costs linked to non-tariff barriers by nearly 19%, according to the report.
LDCs lose around 10% of their exports to G20 markets due to inability to comply with NTMs, and they accounted for only 1.1% of world exports in 2024.
Stronger international regulatory cooperation could lower NTM-related trade costs by 15% to 30%, as estimated by UNCTAD.