Our mission
Context
"Global trade is no longer just an economic matter. It has become the arena of strategic competition between powers."— Our Manifesto
We are living through a historic rupture. After thirty years of benign globalisation, international trade has become the main arena of confrontation between the great powers. The United States, China, the European Union — each deploys tariffs, subsidies and export controls as weapons in a structural competition without precedent since the Cold War.
Trade tensions are not merely tariff disputes. They are the symptom of a deep recomposition of the global economic order: fragmentation of value chains, reshoring of strategic production, the emergence of competing regional blocs, and the weaponisation of financial and technological flows.
In this context, Europe stands at a historic crossroads. It must assert a credible economic sovereignty while, where possible, preserving the trade openness that has underpinned its prosperity. This tension — between strategic autonomy and productive interdependence — is at the heart of GTPO's work.
Faced with the complexity of these dynamics, policy-makers, economic actors and citizens need rigorous, independent and accessible analysis. This is the raison d'être of the Global Trade Policy Observatory.
The GTPO Manifesto
Our founding document sets out the guiding principles of our work: why international trade has become the battleground of major powers, and how Europe must respond to this new reality.
Our guiding principles
Every GTPO analysis is grounded in verified data, quantified indicators and proven academic methods. We reject off-the-cuff commentary in favour of structured analysis.
Geoeconomics sits at the crossroads of economics, law, political science and business strategy. Our work brings these disciplines together to produce a coherent reading of global realities.
GTPO represents no sectoral or partisan interest. Our governance guarantees full editorial freedom in the service of the European common good.
Our methodology
Our researchers maintain continuous monitoring of global trade flows, industrial policies, and geopolitical tensions worldwide.
Researchers & fellows
Academic experts and practitioners specializing in geoeconomics, international trade, law, and strategy.
Drafts are submitted to a multidisciplinary editorial committee and to the Scientific Council, ensuring rigor and a plurality of perspectives.
Scientific Council
Deliberative body ensuring methodological rigor and the editorial independence of GTPO.
Reports, policy papers, and briefings are disseminated to policymakers, institutions, and European and international academic partners.
Partners & dissemination
Partner think tanks, European institutions, and academic organizations ensuring the reach of the research outputs.