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Global Trade: Looking at the Big Picture

Feb 13, 2018 | 12:56 GMT

Global trade is in flux after the United States has made clear that it is no longer willing to take the lead.

The divergent interests of other countries and blocs, including China, Japan and the European Union, will make substantial alignment without the United States difficult.

(IStock Photos)

Highlights

  • Global trade is in flux after the United States has made clear that it is no longer willing to take the lead.
  • While the United States wants to shake up international commerce, China wants to preserve the status quo, and Europe wants to continue on the post-war path.
  • The divergent interests of other countries and blocs, including China, Japan and the European Union, will make substantial alignment without the United States difficult.

Global trade policy is undergoing its first major shift since 1995, and that change could represent the largest evolution in international commerce since World War II. Over the past eight months Stratfor has been publishing a series of Trade Profiles to help clarify the motivations of the largest competitors in the world economy as they try to navigate this changing environment. With the series complete, now is a good time to take stock and reflect on the picture that these profiles form when they are combined....

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