This lost decade of gains from trade potentially poses an even bigger loss to small states. This is because of the amplified effect of trade on their growth and development, their small size and their greater reliance on external trade as a result of limited domestic markets. Exacerbating this is the growing prevalence of protectionist measures and discontent about globalisation and trade liberalisation, which are causing heightened policy uncertainty and leaving small, poor and vulnerable countries most affected (Razzaque et al.,