Executive summary Companies face growing complexity in managing international trade. Trade flows worth hundreds of billions of dollars are now affected or at risk due to non-compliance with emerging market entry requirements. In this environment, international trade management has become a strategic imperative as companies must reassess sourcing strategies, improve data visibility and build internal capacity. This white paper provides a practical guide for navigating today’s trade challenges. It draws on insights from leading global companies through the World Economic Forum’s Trade Compliance Practitioners Group and PwC specialists, based on interviews and workshops conducted between October 2024 and June 2025. The paper identifies four key challenges reshaping international trade management:1. Geopolitical volatility has led to tariff changes, expanded export controls and fragmented sanction regimes. Companies must reassess sourcing strategies, improve data visibility and build internal capacity to manage risk. 2. Sustainability regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) or the US Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA) require companies to collect new types of data for border clearance and ensure compliance across complex supply chains. 3. Regulatory complexity is increasing, with frequent updates to customs rules, export licensing regimes and enforcement practices. 4. Technology and data demands are rising. While digital tools offer opportunities for automation and insight, fragmented systems and inconsistent data remain major barriers.The global trade landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by geopolitical shifts, evolving regulatory frameworks and rapid technological change. Corporate trade functions must adapt at pace and take on a re-expanded scope. Trade Compliance for Leadership: Navigating a Shifting Global Landscape 4

Trade Compliance for Leadership Navigating a Shifting Global Landscape 2025