The TradeTech Paradox Connectivity Amid Fragmentation 2026

Conclusion Global trade has historically relied on a shared sense of stability built on open markets and multilateral cooperation. Today, that foundation is shifting. As geopolitical fragmentation deepens and economies reorganize, global trade faces a defining inflection point: to connect or to fragment. Achieving connection requires both a human and technological approach. Within the layers of the trade stack, leaders must identify strategies and technologies that specifically elevate the efficiency of their work. On the other hand, across layers, actors must work together to establish policies that enhance the ability of technology to connect and support the entire trade stack. Strategies to enhance connection within layers Enterprises can: –Manage risk and compliance through AI- powered multi-tier supplier visibility and product- level traceability –Anticipate and react to disruptions through digital twins and distributed ledger solutions –Expand access to global markets, particularly for SMEs, through agentic AI and trade finance innovations Enablers can: –Further develop tech-focused solutions for enterprises, enablers and national governments –Digitalize operations and connect them to those of other enablers, creating synergies –Expand visibility across processes to keep enterprises and national governments in the loop National governments can: –Adopt and enact the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) to legally recognize electronic trade documents –Facilitate investment in critical physical and digital infrastructure for tradetech –Connect with other national governments to align digital trade rules and develop tech capacities, including through FIT-P and CEPAs Alongside investments in tech within each layer, investments in human capability and ethical design are essential for actors within every layer to adopt and improve these solutions properly, strengthening the connecting fabric. Strategies to enhance connection across layers Strengthening the entire tradetech stack, however, requires active, focused collaboration across layers, including: –Co-designing enabling regulations through structured government-enabler-enterprise consultations –Co-developing shared digital infrastructure to deliver multi-layer interoperability and trust –Assessing ecosystem gaps by convening all layers to map policy, infrastructure and tech needs –Sharing best practices in digital payments to reduce friction –Helping digitize humanitarian logistics by convening enterprises, enablers, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) –Including enterprises and enablers in regional digital trade negotiations to ensure provisions are appropriate and adoptable –Empowering cross-layer processes to embed ethics into the development of technology –Convening all actors in all layers in an annual forum to discuss the way forward for the successful implementation of technology across trade processes Strengthening processes and jointly building the technological connecting fabric of the trade stack, creates a shared backbone for trade, and takes the world one step closer to advancing connection despite fragmentation. The TradeTech Paradox: Connectivity Amid Fragmentation 34