Over the past few decades, international trade has undergone significant transformations as countries strive to lower barriers and create a more interconnected global economy. While reductions in tariff rates have been a welcome advancement, the complex landscape of non-tariff measures (NTMs) has added new layers of challenges to achieving freer trade. Understanding how these policies impact trade dynamics is essential for navigating the ever-changing world of global commerce.
Since 1996, the average most favored nation (MFN) tariff rate for World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries has fallen by nearly half, from 13.2 percent to 7.4 percent in 2021. MFN rates are given to all WTO members unless an agreement allows for a lower rate to be given, this would be the trade-weighted effective rate or preferential rate. When comparing simple average rate to the trade-weighted MFN rate there was a 3.7 percent spread in tariff rate during 2021. The trade-weighted effective rate brings the world average down even further, to 2.5 percent in 2021. While the overall reduction of tariff rates is good news for reducing trade barriers, non-tariff measures (NTMs) play a major role as well.
Applied tariffs are the actual rates charged on products whereas bound tariff rates are the maximum upper bound that can be applied on a product without having to compensate the affected party. All rates discussed throughout this article are applied and include both ad valorem as well as ad valorem equivalents for non-ad valorem tariff rates.

NTMs are policy measures other than tariffs that can affect international trade such as regulations, standards, and procedures, impacting quantity traded, prices, or both. In 1994, a total of 293 NTMs were in place between all WTO countries. These included 264 anti-dumping policy lines and 29 countervailing lines. These have grown drastically over time with the largest increase being the growing number of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) policies. While SPS measures are tracked through 2021, limited data exist on NTM. In 2021 a total of 20,726 SPS measures were in place for WTO markets, a 134 percent increase from 2010. In addition, in 2018 there were 1,858 dumping reported. This rapid increasing trend of NTMs should be a concern for those of us that support freer trade.

In recent decades, the reduction of tariffs has significantly opened up opportunities for U.S. trade. However, the increasing prevalence of NTMs highlights the need for continuous monitoring and policy adjustments to foster a truly free trade environment.
Source
Snoussi-Mimouni, Monica and Edvinas Drevinskas. “Tariffs applied by WTO members have almost halved since 1996”, World Trade Organization. April 2023.
World Trade Organization. WTO Stats. https://stats.wto.org/. Online public database. Accessed March 2025.
Ribera, Luis, and Landyn Young. “Understanding Trade Barriers: Tariff and Non-Tariff Measures.“ Southern Ag Today 5(14.4). April 3, 2025. Permalink