Tariffs and deglobalization. Is globalization going backwards?

This paper examines the current use of tariffs and the emerging trend of deglobalization, seeking to understand whether globalization is reversing. The contribution analyzes how rising protectionist policies—particularly the imposition of tariffs—have become significant catalysts in reversing global economic integration. The primary aim of this study is to examine the evolution of globalization and identify the key factors influencing it, drawing on a review of relevant literature and an analysis of a globalization index. Furthermore, the paper investigates the relationship between tariff implementation and the broader trend of deglobalization. The study employs an analytical-descriptive approach. Globalization is defined by extensive interconnectedness and integration, with cross-border exchanges facilitated by advances in technology, communication, and transportation. Since the 1980s, it has constituted a major driving force in the expansion of international trade and the restructuring of the global economy. This trajectory persisted until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which precipitated a severe disruption to global economic activity. A subsequent recovery continued until April 2025, when the United States administration implemented tariffs on imports from a range of countries. These measures—subsequently modified on several occasions through bilateral negotiations or unilateral U.S. actions—impose varying rates according to the country of origin and the category of goods traded. The present study examines the potential implications of these policy interventions, with particular attention to their prospective long-term effects on global trade dynamics.