The 22/2/22 could have been so much better.

In numerology, the number 2 references the energy of duality, partnership, relationship and balance.

Instead, Russia ramped up its militaristic tensions with Ukraine and the West. Germany, the UK and the U.S. hit back with sanctions.

Does the world now have to wait for 2/2/2222 for harmony?

Multilateral groups are struggling to find balance.

The European Union has requested World Trade Organization dispute consultations with China concerning alleged Chinese measures adversely affecting the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The request was circulated to WTO members on 22 February.

Global climate politics is still fraught.

On trade, there is some hope, but the gloomy immediate geopolitics overrides it:

Five years since the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on 22 February 2017, global trade flows are well positioned for a COVID-19 recovery on the back of WTO members’ steady progress in implementing the landmark Agreement, the WTO said Tuesday.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the TFA has helped support global supply chain resilience and called for further work to help economies withstand future challenges.

The sanctions against Russia could result in more retaliation, and an even bigger split between developed and emerging nations.