6: What Builds Resilience to Trade Shocks?: The Global Trade Resilience Index¹⁰

Global trade is changing fast. It used to be stable and open, but now it faces more uncertainty and division. Over the last 10 years, problems like rising tariffs, supply chain issues from COVID-19, climate-related disruptions and the use of key technologies as political tools have shown that being resilient is essential. In today’s world, a country’s ability to handle shocks and adapt is a key part of staying competitive.

To help countries handle these risks, Whiteshield created the Global Trade Resilience Index (GTRI). In 2025, Germany ranked highest on the GTRI thanks to its strong and diverse trade connections. In general, richer countries tend to be better prepared for trade disruptions.