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Global Trade Leaders Project Optimism for 2026 Amidst Rising Barriers

Key Insights from DP World's Annual Report

On January 20, 2026, the DP World Global Trade Observatory published an annual report showcasing a notable contrast between fragile global trade perspectives and solid business confidence. The report, which surveyed 3,500 high-level executives from logistics and supply chain sectors across eight industries in 19 countries, revealed that a remarkable 94% of respondents anticipate trade growth in 2026 to match or exceed the previous year's performance, despite increasing trade barriers, costs, and political uncertainties.

Unpacking the Survey Findings

The survey unveiled a strong sentiment among business leaders, with 54% expecting growth surpassing that of 2025, while 40% predict similar performance levels. Interestingly, a significant 53% indicated high to very high political uncertainty as a concern, and about 90% expect trade barriers to either increase or remain unchanged. Nevertheless, only 25% foresee negative impacts on their businesses, with 49% expecting no effects, and 26% even predicting positive outcomes.

Despite macroeconomic projections by the International Monetary Fund suggesting a slowdown in trade growth to 2.3% in 2026 from an estimated 3.6% in 2025, business leaders are optimistic. When prompted about potential growth areas, Europe (22%) and China (17%) ranked highest, followed by the Asia-Pacific region (14%) and North America (13%).

Comments from Industry Leaders

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, emphasized the increasing complexity of global trade, stating, "Our role is clear: to drive trade by understanding friction points, anticipating future challenges, and investing in infrastructure and partnerships that enhance efficiency and reliability for our clients."

Margareta Drzeniek from Horizon Group noted the executives' confidence in their strategic contingency plans, highlighting a shift towards resilience by diversifying suppliers, reevaluating trade routes, and incorporating flexible options to navigate the prevailing volatility.

Strategic Changes Companies Are Implementing

The survey outlined several strategic changes companies are planning for 2026 in response to market volatility:

• - Resilience as a Strategy: 51% of businesses plan to diversify their suppliers, while 44% aim to increase inventory levels, and 36% will outsource certain trade routes.
• - Enhanced Route Agility: 26% intend to adopt new routes, and 23% are in the assessment stage. The primary motivators for these decisions include cost savings (38%), improved connectivity (36%), and streamlined customs processes (35%).
• - Addressing Border Frictions: A substantial 60% of executives identified customs clearance as a major source of delays and disruptions. Companies are prioritizing investments in storage and logistics facilities (39%), road networks (36%), and customs processing infrastructure (36%).

Conclusion

The findings from DP World’s Global Trade Observatory serve as a critical reminder of the resilience and adaptive strategies businesses are employing to navigate an increasingly challenging global trade environment. As companies implement more robust supply chain strategies and remain optimistic about future growth, it highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.