English 
Português do Brasil We live in an increasingly interconnected global landscape, where political decisions in one corner of the world can affect businesses, supply chains, and prices in another. Within this web of connections, geopolitics plays a fundamental role—and understanding how it influences international trade is essential for companies, investors, and professionals in the field.
In this article, you'll understand the concept of geopolitics, how it relates to foreign trade, and see recent examples of how political events have directly impacted logistical routes, supply chains, and global costs.
What is geopolitics?
Geopolitics is the field that studies how geographical factors influence the political and economic decisions of states. The word comes from the combination of "geo" (earth) and "politics," and its focus is on how nations use territory and strategic location to exert power, influence agreements, and protect interests.
It involves everything: diplomatic relations, economic decisions, security, armed conflicts, alliances, and even transport infrastructure. Although geopolitical dynamics have always existed—as seen in the Roman Empire or Ancient Greece—the term only began to gain academic prominence in the early 20th century.
Why does geopolitics interfere with international trade?
The global economy does not operate in isolation. Political changes, conflicts, and agreements between countries have a direct impact on:
• Import and export tariffs;
• Trade restrictions (sectoral or total);
• Sanctions and economic embargoes;
• Creation or dissolution of economic blocs;
• Changes in logistical routes;
• Exchange rate fluctuations;
• Decline in investments in unstable regions.
These interferences can happen suddenly, generating ripple effects on deadlines, costs, product shortages, and insecurity in international contracts.
Geopolitical impacts on global logistics
One of the areas most sensitive to geopolitics is international logistics. The control of ports, straits, and canals is strategic for countries and economic blocs, and any instability at these points can create global imbalance.
A recent example is the increase in attacks in the Red Sea since 2023. Yemeni rebel groups, supported by Iran, began attacking commercial vessels in support of Hamas, amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The result? Major shipping companies temporarily suspended the use of the Suez Canal route, diverting their ships to the Cape of Good Hope—a much longer route.
This diversion increased transit time by up to 14 days, raised freight costs, and affected logistical schedules worldwide. Even companies that did not use this route felt the effects: overload of other channels, container shortages, and more expensive insurance.
Geopolitics also affects the supply chain
Another clear example lies in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict, which began in 2022, disrupted essential supply chains, such as those for fertilizers and grains, directly affecting agricultural production in several countries.
In a market where time and predictability are crucial, any instability of this kind increases input costs, disrupts production schedules, and forces companies to seek less advantageous alternatives.
The rivalry between the United States and China also has repercussions. The US has been imposing limits on the export of semiconductors and advanced chips to China, as part of a dispute that goes beyond trade—it involves technology, security, and global dominance in strategic sectors.
This dispute also touches on another delicate issue: Taiwan. The island concentrates the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, and if there were a blockade or Chinese invasion, the impact would be devastating for global supply chains of electronics, automobiles, telecommunications, and practically all sectors that depend on these components.
Conclusion
Geopolitics is not something distant or reserved only for history books. It is present in commercial decisions, logistical operations, and the risks that companies face every day in the international market.
More than just following the news, it is necessary to develop a strategic vision, understand the interests of countries, anticipate risks, and diversify suppliers, routes, and markets when necessary. Geopolitical intelligence has become an essential tool for navigating a global trade full of opportunities—but also uncertainties.
If you work with import, export, or international logistics, monitoring the global geopolitical scenario is no longer optional—it's a matter of competitiveness.
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