Harmonized Trade Finance: Stability Amid Geopolitical Fragmentation 1 Global commerce is shifting from a unified system to competing trade blocs with different rules and risk thresholds. 2 Fragmentation creates friction—varying regulations, compliance standards, and payment risk across regions. 3 Trade finance frameworks such as LCs, SBLCs, and guarantees provide a common language trusted across borders. 4 These instruments reduce uncertainty by standardizing expectations for payment, performanc