CfP: Trade War and Geopolitics

The editors are excited to announce a call for papers for an upcoming academic workshop focused on “Trade War and Geopolitics.” This workshop aims to bring together scholars from various fields, including international affairs, history, geopolitics, international political economy (IPE), and Asian studies, to explore and analyze the complex dimensions of trade conflicts that have significantly altered the global economic and political landscapes in recent years.

The workshop will specifically focus on the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, examining its ramifications for the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Global South. We also welcome papers that offer historical perspectives on trade wars in global politics, exploring their conceptualization, methods, and implications. Given the profound impact of the trade war on countries’ trade policies, economic planning, growth, domestic politics, and foreign policy, we encourage participants to focus their papers on specific cases that can spark broader discussions. Additionally, we invite papers that investigate shifting power dynamics in regional politics. Our goal is to foster vigorous academic exchange and dialogue, encouraging close interactions among colleagues across diverse fields.

Themes and Topics:

We invite submissions on a wide range of topics related to trade wars and geopolitics, including but not limited to:

1. Ontology and Conceptual Framework:
   • Defining the principles and characteristics of a “Trade War” and differentiating it from ordinary trade conflicts and disputes.
   • The role of trade wars as state policy and their significance in domestic and foreign policy.
   • Cognitive and social psychological factors driving trade war decisions.
   • Social, cultural, and ideological motivations behind trade wars.
   • Comparative analysis of historical trade wars across various periods and geopolitical contexts.
   • The impact of trade wars on international regimes and trade institutions.
   • Goals and execution of trade wars: what governs their effectiveness?
2. Economic Impacts:
   • Effects of tariffs and trade barriers on global economies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Global South.
   • Supply chain disruptions and their long-term consequences.
   • Impact on individual countries’ economic planning and outlook.
   • Shifts in trading patterns and regional economic integration.
3. Political Responses:
   • Evolving national strategies and policy responses to the US-China trade war.
   • The role of regional institutions (e.g., European Union, ASEAN) in addressing trade tensions and conflict.
   • Domestic political implications and public opinion on trade policies.
4. International Relations:
   • Asymmetries in trade wars and conditions or determinants for outcomes.
   • The impact of the US-China trade war on global geopolitics and intra-regional trade dynamics.
   • Strategic power shifts and realignments of partnerships and alliances.
   • Reflection, reinforcement, or alteration of existing international hierarchies.
5. Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Aspects:
   • The role of international trade law and the WTO in trade wars.
   • Issues related to intellectual property rights and technology transfer.
   • Regulatory changes and compliance challenges for businesses.
   • Ethical implications for global justice and equity.
   • Potential avenues for resolution.
6. Historical and Comparative Perspectives:
   • Historical precedents and lessons from past trade conflicts.
   • Comparative analysis of trade wars in different regions and periods.
   • Long-term historical trends in East Asian trade and economic policies.
7. Future Prospects:
   • Prospects and challenges for future trade relations in the Asia-Pacific region.
   • Potential for new trade institutions, agreements, and economic partnerships.
   • Prospects for economic recovery and growth in the post-trade war era.
   • Strategies to prevent and mitigate future trade wars.

Submission Guidelines:

Interested participants should submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the main arguments and contributions of their paper. Please include the title of your paper, your name, institutional affiliation, and contact information. Full papers will be requested upon acceptance of the abstract.

Important Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: [30 September 2024]
• Notification of Acceptance: [1 November 2024]
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: [31 March 2025]
• Workshop Date (online): [30 April 2025]

Submission and Inquiries:

Please submit your abstracts and direct any inquiries to tradewar.workshop2025[at]gmail.com. We look forward to your contributions and to a stimulating and productive workshop.