Key Points
- 43% of global executives reported that doing business became more difficult in 2025.
- President Trump’s new tariffs were a major factor, creating barriers to trade and capital.
- 42% of executives also saw a decline in cooperation on peace and security.
- Despite the challenges, investment in renewable energy grew nearly 10% in the first half of the year.
Doing business around the world became a lot more difficult in 2025. According to a new survey from the World Economic Forum (WEF), companies faced growing barriers to trade, a decline in global cooperation on security, and a tougher environment for climate action. The poll, which surveyed nearly 800 executives, found that 43% of respondents believed doing business became more difficult in 2025 than in the previous year.
A big part of the problem was the wave of new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. His “America First” trade policies disrupted global supply chains and created significant uncertainty for businesses. Nearly four out of ten executives said that growing trade barriers, hiring foreign talent, and moving capital across borders made their jobs more difficult.
The survey also highlighted a decline in cooperation on peace and security. A full 42% of executives said they saw this area deteriorating, which is unsurprising given ongoing geopolitical tensions.
However, the news wasn’t all bad. While some executives said collaboration on climate and natural resources became more challenging, there was a bright spot in the renewable energy sector. New investment in renewables rose nearly 10% in the first half of 2025, and the amount of installed solar and wind capacity jumped by a massive 67%.
Interestingly, the WEF also polled its own “Global Future Council” members, who are typically academics and thought leaders. This group was even more pessimistic than the business executives, with 85% saying global cooperation declined in 2025.
The WEF released the report ahead of its annual meeting in Davos, where these issues will likely be a key focus of discussion among the world’s top leaders.
