Rethinking Trade in an Age of Turbulence: Reassessing EU Trade, Value Chains and Firm Competitiveness a Changing World

In an era of growing trade fragmentation, this book offers fresh insights into the evolving dynamics of global commerce and the strategic dependencies that emerge. In an era of growing trade fragmentation, this book offers fresh insights into the evolving dynamics of global commerce and the strategic dependencies that emerge. It examines how shocks and structural shifts are reconfiguring Global Value Chains (GVCs) through nearshoring and farsharing, and how firms can leverage internationalization to strengthen EU competitiveness. The contributions also explore EU’s crisis-driven trade diplomacy across North America, Latin America, and Africa, highlighting the role of trade agreements in enabling—or constraining—these transformations. Finally, the book addresses the twin green and digital transitions and their profound implications for firm competitiveness and strategic autonomy. Drawing on diverse perspectives, the chapters stem from an ongoing research initiative by Luiss University in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Together, they trace a clear trajectory: from the fragmentation of global trade to the policy responses and technological shifts shaping the future of business. Collectively, these themes define the pillars of Europe’s competitiveness in an age of turbulence.