You’ve earned your seat at the executive table — now here’s how to leverage that influence to build the technology infrastructure that sustains your strategic impact as a global trade leader.

The numbers tell a remarkable story of transformation. According to the Thomson Reuters Institute 2026 State of Global Trade Report, 43% of trade professionals now have enhanced influence over procurement decisions, while 37% report more frequent involvement in executive decision-making. This represents an unprecedented elevation of trade departments from cost centers to strategic business partners.

But here’s the reality: Your newfound boardroom influence is just the beginning. The real test lies in translating that strategic positioning into technology investments that deliver measurable operational excellence and sustain your department’s elevated status. With 76% of trade professionals believing U.S. tariff volatility represents a permanent approach rather than short-term policy, the window for building resilient technology infrastructure has never been more critical.

To dig deeper, visit the original article on the Thomson Reuters blog.