Geopolitical Conflict, Geoeconomic Manoeuvring, and the Law of the Jungle: Are We Witnessing the End of the Liberal Trading Order?

Jianfu Chen; Zhiqiong June Wang

doi:10.1007/978-981-95-6996-0_2

Geopolitical Conflict, Geoeconomic Manoeuvring, and the Law of the Jungle: Are We Witnessing the End of the Liberal Trading Order?

Jianfu Chen
, Zhiqiong June Wang

University of Melbourne
La Trobe University
The University of Sydney

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter argues that the postwar liberal trading order is being destroyed by geopolitical conflict and geoeconomic manoeuvring. Developing country preferences politicised and fragmented the WTO. Major powers now struggle over rule-making through super-RTAs (TPP/CPTPP, RCEP, IPEF) serving geopolitical aims, while geoeconomic coercion—exemplified by superpowers’ bullying behaviour towards smaller countries—exploits WTO gaps by avoiding formal measures. Trump 2.0 represents a qualitative shift: open disregard for multilateral rules through unjustified tariffs and attacks on the system itself. The chapter concludes that we are witnessing the end of the liberal trading order, with fragmentation into regional blocs (EU, CPTPP, RCEP) likely unless states relearn the dangers of abandoning multilateral disciplines.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific
Publisher	Springer
Pages	11-32
Number of pages	22
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-6996-0_2
Publication status	Published - 2026
Externally published	Yes

Publication series

Name	Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific
Volume	Part F1612
ISSN (Print)	2199-8620
ISSN (Electronic)	2199-8639

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

Economic Coercion
Fairer Trade
Geoeconomics
Geopolitics
Liberalism
Trump 2.0

Access to Document

10.1007/978-981-95-6996-0_2

Cite this

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Geopolitical Conflict, Geoeconomic Manoeuvring, and the Law of the Jungle: Are We Witnessing the End of the Liberal Trading Order? / Chen, Jianfu; Wang, Zhiqiong June.
Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific. Springer, 2026. p. 11-32 (Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific; Vol. Part F1612).

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

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ER -

Geopolitical Conflict, Geoeconomic Manoeuvring, and the Law of the Jungle: Are We Witnessing the End of the Liberal Trading Order?

Abstract

Publication series

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this