What the study found
The paper argues that Trumpism and economic nationalism are reshaping the political context of international business. It says that legitimacy and acceptable forms of cross-border economic activity are increasingly constructed and contested through politicization.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that international business scholarship should treat politicization as central rather than viewing politics only as a background constraint. They also suggest that managers and policymakers need to attend to the symbolic and political dimensions of policy and strategy, not only regulatory and economic ones.
What the researchers tested
This is a conceptual viewpoint paper, not an empirical study. It draws on international business, international relations, political economy, and political sociology, and uses illustrative examples from Trump administration policies and related contexts.
What worked and what didn't
The paper reports that trade policy, foreign direct investment, and multinational enterprise operations are increasingly linked to narratives of sovereignty, national identity, and geopolitical rivalry. It also says multinational enterprises are not only adapting to these environments but helping shape them through strategic, discursive, and non-market actions.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes the paper as a viewpoint with illustrative examples, so it does not present a single empirical test or dataset. The limitations section says future research is needed on how politicization unfolds across institutional contexts, how firms use discursive and non-market strategies, and how geopolitical narratives affect investment decisions and legitimacy assessments.
Key points
- The paper argues that Trumpism and economic nationalism are changing the political setting of international business.
- It says legitimacy and acceptable cross-border activity are increasingly shaped by politicization.
- Multinational enterprises are described as both adapting to and shaping politicized business environments.
- Trade policy, foreign direct investment, and firm operations are linked to sovereignty, national identity, and geopolitical rivalry.
- The paper is conceptual and uses examples from Trump administration policies and related contexts.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Trumpism politicizes international business and challenges prior assumptions
- Authors:
- Brent Burmester, Ziad Elsahn, Edward Gillmore, Alexei Koveshnikov, Marty Reilly, Talia Sharkawi
- Institutions:
- Aalto University, Dublin City University, Durham University, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster University, Lancaster University, University of Auckland
- Publication date:
- 2026-06-29
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Shealeah Craighead, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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