The Geopoliticization of EU Trade Policy: Adapting the Toolbox to Address Global Economic Challenges

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has faced mounting external challenges, including the weaponization of trade interdependence, shifts in global value chains, and the resurgence of great power politics. In response, the EU has introduced a new economic security package and embraced the motto of "strategic autonomy" in its external actions. These pressures have triggered a more assertive global posture, encapsulated in the concept of the geopoliticization of EU trade policy. While this shift has garnered increasing scholarly attention, there is a need for deeper exploration of its broader implications. Analytically, aspects such as outbound investment screening, the EU's Global Gateway, and the export of dual-use goods warrant closer scrutiny. Conceptually, the ongoing dynamics of geopoliticization remain under-defined, calling for further theoretical development to fully grasp its evolving nature. This panel invites scholars to examine the renewal of the EU’s trade policy and its evolving trade strategy, as well as their implications for global affairs. It welcome contributions that address both the conceptual underpinnings and empirical evidence of the EU's changing approach to global trade. Papers addressing the EU’s geo-economic shift, the implementation of new strategic tools, and its renewed assertiveness in global affairs are encouraged. Case studies focusing on instruments like the EU's anti-coercion measures, economic security policies, or strategic autonomy initiatives are also considered.