ABSTRACT
The US–China trade war has had a significant impact on not only the countries directly involved but also their trading partners. The conflict has therefore had a range of economic and geopolitical impacts that directly affect the Asian region. In order to better understand this impact, our study examines the nature of the US–China relationship and how it has evolved in recent decades. The study also highlights the fact that in addition to these developments has been the shift away from traditional globalist orthodoxies that formed the basis of economic development in the post-World War II era, to an increasingly protectionist, nationalistic view of trade. As the global economies emerge from the shadows of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to respond positively to these challenges and also fend off demands for a more protectionist trade policy narrative will be critical. As such, our study also outlines not only the economic development impact of the US–China trade war on Asian economies but also the types of policies that could be implemented to drive a positive growth agenda moving forward.
