The future of global production networks post Trump II: coupling and decoupling in a world of trade policy uncertainty

Abstract Recent changes in trade policy, especially by the Trump II administration, will have major impacts on global production networks (GPNs). While work in this journal and elsewhere has provided many useful insights into the dynamics of GPNs, recent novel policy interventions have changed the context significantly. Key effects of note are the undermining of faith in international agreements; the expansion of ‘strategic’ sectors; and the side effects of weaponization of interdependence and restructuring global alliances. These shifts will have major impacts on GPN research and theorizing. More work is needed, especially to better understand how geopolitics and sustainability affect GPN coupling and decoupling.