Trade wars and the global supply chain: The Impact of Past and Present Economic Conflicts

Throughout history, global trade has been shaped by political, economic and technological changes. Trade wars have emerged as a result of economic protectionist policies and have caused major fluctuations in the global trading system. This study examines the evolution of trade wars in the historical process and analyses their impact on the global supply chain using examples such as the current US-China rivalry. The origins of trade wars can be traced back to the UK-China Opium Wars in the 19th century, the US Smoot-Hawley tariffs in the 20th century and the US-China trade tensions in the 21st century. As globalisation accelerates, the impact of trade wars is not only between two countries but also causes major disruptions in global supply chains. Particularly in the post-pandemic period, the increased vulnerability of supply chains has led to a resurgence of economic protectionism. The study examines the historical background of trade wars, their impact on the global economic order and the ongoing trade tensions today, and analyses how the global supply chain has been reshaped. Through a literature review and data analysis, the study explores the implications of trade wars for economic policy and concludes the future.