Making water use in global trade more sustainable examines how water, often treated as the “forgotten input” in global trade, remains largely invisible in supply-chain decisions despite being critical to the production, processing and transport of goods. The paper explores how trade can indirectly drive water depletion and degradation in water-stressed and economically vulnerable producer countries, while creating supply-chain risks for destination markets. In the context of growing geopolitical fragmentation, it argues that businesses, governments and investors must better account for “virtual water” trade and take practical steps to support more sustainable, equitable and water-secure supply chains.