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Trade wars and protectionism have again become major issues in global economic dynamics, especially since trade tensions between the United States and China began in 2018. This research aims to analyze tariff policy as part of a protectionist strategy in the context of the political economy of bilateral trade relations. Using a qualitative approach with case studies and document analysis, data were obtained from policy reports, scientific journals, and trade statistics. The results show that tariff policies are often not purely based on economic considerations, but are also influenced by domestic political interests, industry group pressure, and global negotiation strategies. On the other hand, these policies have a significant impact on the structure of bilateral trade relations, trade volume, and global supply chains. Indonesia as a partner country is also affected, both directly through changes in export-import values, and indirectly through supply and investment disruptions. Policy implications show the importance of developing countries' preparedness in anticipating changes in global trade policies and encouraging the formulation of adaptive and competitive national strategies. This study provides recommendations for policymakers to balance national interests with global dynamics.

The implementation of a 32% reciprocal import tariff by the United States in April 2025, targeting Indonesian palm oil, reflects an intensifying global trend of trade protectionism. As one of Indonesia’s top export commodities, palm oil was severely affected by the policy, revealing the structural fragility of the country’s export-dependent economy. The tariff led to immediate disruptions in trade flows, price competitiveness, and employment across the palm oil supply chain. This study aims to analyze the economic impact of the U.S. tariff policy on Indonesia’s palm oil industry and to examine the government’s policy responses in mitigating these effects. The research also seeks to identify strategic lessons for improving trade resilience in the face of unilateral trade measures. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive approach, integrating macroeconomic analysis and international trade theory. It uses secondary data from trade statistics, government reports, and international institutions, combined with conceptual frameworks including global value chain theory, comparative advantage, and trade policy response models. The findings indicate that the tariff caused a 22.5% decline in export value and a 24.9% drop in volume within the first quarter after implementation. Approximately 17,000 workers were affected, and investor confidence weakened due to disruptions in downstream value chains. In response, the Indonesian government launched a five-pillar strategy covering trade diplomacy, market diversification, regulatory reform, fiscal support, and digital service trade bargaining. These findings highlight the urgent need for structural transformation, value-added industrial development, and adaptive trade governance to strengthen Indonesia’s long-term economic resilience.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) acts as the main institution in regulating the global trading system based on the principles of fairness and openness. However, in practice, protectionist challenges arising from large countries, such as in the trade conflict between the United States and China, hamper economic liberalization efforts and create instability in the global market. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the WTO's role in facing these protectionism challenges. The method used is normative juridical with a qualitative approach, which includes analysis of WTO regulations and policies, as well as a comparative approach to examine the impact of protectionism in several countries. Data were obtained through literature study of academic sources and relevant international legal documents. The results show that policy harmonization between the WTO and its member countries is needed to maintain the stability of the multilateral trading system. In addition, reforms to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism are crucial to make it more adaptive to global geopolitical dynamics. Developing countries are advised to improve competitiveness through market diversification and strengthening economic diplomacy to remain relevant in the changing international trade architecture.

Geopolitical tensions have evolved from peripheral risks to central drivers of global capital flows, disproportionately affecting Emerging Markets (EMs). This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric mapping of the academic landscape linking geopolitical dynamics, international finance, and investment in EMs. This study uses a dataset of 1,039 documents extracted from high-impact databases to analyze performance and conduct science mapping with R-Bibliometrix. The analysis covers publication trends, citation structures, and conceptual evolution over the last century, with a focus on the surge in literature post-2018. Results indicate an exponential growth in scientific production, peaking in 2024. The thematic structure reveals a shift from traditional debt crisis narratives (1990s) to contemporary concerns regarding sanctions, protectionism, and trade policy (2020s). Network analysis identifies three distinct clusters: (1) International finance and market mechanisms, (2) Political economy and development in the Global South, and (3) Institutional governance (IMF/World Bank). This paper bridges the gap between political science and financial economics by visualizing how international finance serves as the dominant anchor connecting developed economies (the USA and the UK) with key emerging markets (China and Indonesia) amid rising global fragmentation.

International trade is the main pillar of global economic development. For Indonesia, international trade policy plays a strategic role in encouraging economic growth. As a country rich in natural resources and with a large population, Indonesia has the potential to be significant in the global value chain. However, fluctuations in commodity prices, competitive pressures, and protectionism of trading partners are obstacles that need to be overcome. This study examines the impact of international trade policies on Indonesia's economic growth through a literature study. The analysis focuses on the influence of tariff regulation, free trade agreements, and non-tariff policies on the competitiveness of national products and the protection of domestic industries. The results show that trade policies are effective in creating synergies between exports and economic growth, although challenges in the form of dependence on primary commodity exports and the need to increase manufacturing competitiveness remain. This study recommends strengthening infrastructure, improving the quality of human resources, and sustainable economic policies as strategies to optimize international trade for national economic development.

This research discusses the impact of EU energy protectionism in the face of global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Those two major events reveal the risks of over-dependence on foreign suppliers and the lack of diversification in the EU supply chain. As a solution, the EU has implemented various policies, including RePowerE, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and Green Deal Industrial Plan (GDIP), to reduce dependence on energy imports and increase domestic renewable energy production. Through the analysis of neoliberalism and Game Theory approaches, particularly the Prisoner's Dilemma concept, this article explores the implications of protectionist policies on international trade stability. The analysis shows that while protectionist policies can strengthen the EU's energy independence and domestic security, they also have the potential to trigger international trade tensions and protectionist retaliation from other countries.

The year 2024 will be a year full of economic and political challenges for companies operating in international markets. Some of the factors that may affect international business are the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, and digital transformation. This article aims to identify and analyze international business strategies that can help companies face these challenges. The strategies discussed include strategic alliances, product diversification, segmented digital marketing, flexible pricing adjustments, and international human resource management. The article also provides examples of companies that have successfully implemented these strategies in various markets. This article is expected to provide insights and inspiration for business people who want to improve their performance and competitiveness in the international market