The hidden war behind global trade

In a world where geopolitics and economics are increasingly intertwined, trade is no longer merely a means to prosperity but a strategic weapon.
How do countries use economic dependence to exert power? What risks do businesses, citizens, and governments face? And what does this mean for the future of globalization?

During this program, Steven Brakman (Professor of International Economics at the University of Groningen), Tristan Kohl, and Charles van Marrewijk (Professor of International Macroeconomics at Utrecht University) will share thought-provoking insights on trade as a weapon. Using current examples—from sanctions against Russia to the trade war between the U.S. and China—they will reveal how economic warfare works, the mechanisms behind it, and why it affects everyone.

After the keynote, a panel discussion will follow with the speakers and DNB experts Frank van Dunné and Ralph Verhoeks, where we will examine the implications for international cooperation, technological dominance, and critical supply chains. Get ready for a sharp and accessible analysis of one of the most urgent issues of our time.

This programme is spoken in Dutch.