Trading Places

The author advocates for a shift away from 'hyper-globalisation and ultra-liberalism' toward a trade system that prioritizes climate sustainability, data protection, and regional empowerment. Key concerns include the projected tripling of transport emissions by 2049 and the need for a multilateral alternative to current trade wars and protectionism.

• International trade is currently characterized by 'hyper-globalisation and ultra-liberalism', but is facing shifts driven by technological interconnection and climate change. Current geopolitical tensions include trade wars between the USA, China, and the European Union, with the US 'Make America Great Again' stance transforming relations between major powers.
• The carbon footprint of international trade is increasing, with emissions from the transportation of goods projected to triple by 2049. Maritime shipping is identified as generating more than half of the pollution from international freight, which is expected to surpass passenger transport as an emissions source.
• There is a critical need to analyze how a global temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius will alter international trade, specifically regarding the opening of new maritime routes and ports, and the transformation of agriculture and jobs.
• The author proposes a 'fair and effective Africa-EU trade partnership' focused on a regulated digital and trade area that protects data and citizens' rights, serving as an alternative to the digital competition between US and Chinese firms.
• A sustainable future for trade requires a multilateral alternative to 'selective plurilateralism or normalised trade war', including WTO reforms to reduce protectionism in textiles, medicines, and agriculture, and the establishment of a permanent multilateral court for dispute resolution between companies and states.

APA

Durant, I. (2019). Trading Places. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/trading-places/

Chicago

Durant, Isabelle. Trading Places. Green European Journal, 2019. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/trading-places/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Durant |first1=Isabelle |title=Trading Places |publisher=Green European Journal |date=13 March 2019 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/trading-places/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{durant2019trading, author = {Durant, Isabelle}, title = {{Trading Places}}, publisher = {Green European Journal}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/trading-places/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }