The Geoeconomics and Geopolitics of International Trade

International trade is undergoing profound transformation. The liberalization paradigm that characterized much of the twentieth century has given way to renewed tariff conflicts, systemic disruptions caused by war and geopolitical rivalry, and mounting pressures to align trade with sustainability objectives. These shifts underscore the urgent need to re-examine the intellectual and policy foundations of global commerce in light of twenty-first century realities. This book offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary analysis of these emerging dynamics.

Drawing on contributions from legal scholars, economists, and political scientists across Europe, Asia, and North America, it traces the historical evolution of tariffs, evaluates the far-reaching consequences of the conflicts in MENA, Ukraine, and Russia, and examines the challenges posed by central bank digital currencies to established trade mechanisms. It further investigates the U.S.–China trade confrontation as a case of enduring techno-economic rivalry, the paradoxes of sustainability in mineral-based global value chains, and the regulatory tensions between market liberalisation and national sovereignty. The book examines critical mineral supply chains through a geoeconomic lens, focusing on how states and corporations leverage control over extraction, processing, and manufacturing stages to secure strategic advantage. It offers novel insights into European vulnerabilities in rare earth supply, insolvency harmonisation, and investment regulation. Together, these chapters provide an integrated perspective on the forces redefining trade law, policy, and practice. It explores the impact of digital currency regulation on international trade, with particular regard to the legal status of central banks.

This book will be of particular interest to academics, researchers, and graduate students in international economics, law, and political science, as well as to policymakers and institutional actors concerned with the future of global trade governance.