Rethinking Trade in an Age of Turbulence

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.

Chapter 1. Editorial: Rethinking Trade in an Age of Turbulence - Reassessing EU Trade, Value Chains and Firm Competitiveness in a Changing World (Tommaso De Portu). - Chapter 2. Nearshoring and Farsharing in Europe: implications for employment (Filippo Bontadini). - Chapter 3. Reshaping global value chains: nearshoring and re-shoring in emerging markets (Filippo Bontadini). - Chapter 4. Nearshoring, global value chains structure and volatility (Filippo Bontadini). - Chapter 5. Mapping the EU-North America Trade Diplomacy through Crises (Eleonora Poli). - Chapter 6. Mapping the EU LAC Trade Diplomacy through Crises (Eleonora Poli). - Chapter 7. Mapping the EU-Africa Trade Diplomacy through Crises (Eleonora Poli). - Chapter 8. European and Italian strategic dependencies for the twin transition: strengthening trade relationships with Africa (Filippo Bontadini). - Chapter 9. Beyond borders: assessing the impact of digital and green innovation on firms' export capabilities (Jordana Rech Graciano dos Santos). - Chapter 10. Procurement of multilateral banks in Europe: Italian specificities and policy implications (Valentina Meliciani). - Chapter 11. Conclusions and Policy Implications (Tommaso De Portu).