Circle
Impact of Global Trade Relations on International Development
Circle: Impact of Global Trade Relations on International Development
November 4, 2025
Berlin
Recent changes in U.S. tariffs policy have triggered new uncertainties and shifts in global trade relations. These changes directly impact the future and strategic course of international development cooperation. Pinelopi K. Goldberg, former Chief Economist of the World Bank and currently teaching at Yale University, has spent her research and professional career exploring the intersections between trade and international development.
The final report of our Commission, “A Changing World – Germany and the Global South,” highlights that development policy can be a valuable tool in times of geopolitical conflict. The recommendations suggest that Germany, as one of the world’s largest export and trading nations, uses its development policy as a strategic instrument in times of geopolitical tension to create a sustainable future.
Based on Goldberg’s latest analyses on the impact of global trade on international development, we further discussed the recommendations of the Commission together with partners from politics, academia, business and civil society. Together, we examined how international development policy must be realigned to address these current changes.

Contact Persons
Gregor Darmer, g.darmer@globalperspectives.org
Supported by
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB)
Circle
We believe in proximity building trust. Our most personal format therefore offers the opportunity to deepen the knowledge of our high-ranking guests in a small circle, together with an exchange of experiences, in dialogue.
Program Archive
We discussed with State Secretary Niels Annen how development policy can be integrated into networked foreign, security, and economic policies.
As traditional trade relations shift, strengthening local value chains, enhancing trade agreements, and mobilizing private capital are key to building more resilient and mutually beneficial economies.
Our speaker James Irungu Mwangi shared his perspective on how to accelerate climate action and investment across Africa. Together, we discussed what it will take to mobilize the green finance needed.
Germany is a country of immigration. Building on our Commission's recommendations for action, we discussed ways to better manage and communicate labor migration.
Europe and Africa have the chance to advance technology and shape the future of the global space economy together through cooperation.
Amid shifting global dynamics, investing in Africa’s strengths in renewable energy and climate action is more urgent than ever. The action recommendations of the eighth conference.
How can Germany build strong, sustainable relationships with countries in the Global South that benefit both sides? At HSC 2025, we continued the dialogue on the Commission's recommendations.
At the eighth edition of The Africa Roundtable, we discussed how to rethink and strengthen sustainable finance in Africa through strategic partnerships with Europe.
The Commission “A Changing World – Germany and the Global South” presents its recommendations as a basis for addressing key strategic decisions facing Germany today.









