Economic Statecraft
Analyse how trade policy, sanctions, investment, and infrastructure financing are used as instruments of geopolitical competition.
Economic tools have become central instruments of geopolitical competition. States increasingly use trade policy, sanctions, investment, infrastructure financing, and development assistance to advance strategic objectives. This theme examines how economic policies are used to influence political outcomes, secure strategic resources, and shape international partnerships. By analysing trade networks, infrastructure corridors, and financial relationships, it highlights how economic statecraft complements traditional diplomatic and military strategies.
Maps & Infographics on Economic Statecraft
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Global Shipping Lanes: Chokepoints of Trade
Around 80–90% of global trade by volume is transported by sea, making maritime routes the backbone of the global economy.
Trump’s Hormuz Narrative Clashes with Reality
White House claims of victory and control over the Strait of Hormuz diverge sharply from shipping data showing that commercial transit remains severely constrained.
The Great Divide in AI & Infrastructure
The emerging contest over artificial intelligence reveals a pronounced asymmetry in the physical infrastructure that underpins advanced AI systems.
Growth, Resources, and Structural Divergence in 2025
The global economic landscape in 2025 reveals a stark divide: resource-rich frontier economies surge while major European powers stagnate, exposing the commodity double-edged sword at the heart of development.
