The trend of
weaponizing trade measures has become an increasingly serious issue, as
demonstrated by several recent cases within the World Trade Organization (WTO).
These cases represent only a fraction of the broader phenomenon, with many
similar instances occurring outside the scope of WTO regulations. Key factors
driving this trend include the expanding definition of national security and
the rise of unilateral trade sanctions. Such practices have already had a
profound negative impact on the multilateral trading system. Without effective
measures to curb this trend, it will pose an even greater threat to the already
fragile international trade system. In such a context, this article critically
analyses the current state of trade measure weaponization and proposes seven
countermeasures to address this issue.