INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
Keywords:
economic integration; globalization; regional trade agreements; protectionism; reglobalization; EU; ASEAN; RCEP; USMCA; MERCOSUR; EAEU; AfCFTA.Abstract
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of integration processes in the global economy over the past decade, combining B. Balassa’s theoretical framework (from PTA to full economic integration) with empirical evidence from major regional blocs (EU, ASEAN/RCEP, USMCA, MERCOSUR, EAEU, AfCFTA). Based on academic research and up-to-date statistical data from international organizations (WTO, UNCTAD, World Bank, etc.), the study identifies contradictory trends: the persistence of high volumes of world trade and the growth in the number of RTAs, alongside the strengthening of protectionism, friend-shoring, and geo-economic fragmentation. The analysis shows that integration is shifting toward “reglobalization”: regional value chains are deepening, the role of digital and green agendas is growing, and the demand for inclusiveness in trade rules is increasing. The regional overview highlights the resilience of the EU (despite Brexit and the shocks of the 2020s), the acceleration of intra-Asian connectivity (RCEP), the modernization of North American supply chains (USMCA), institutional and political constraints within MERCOSUR and the EAEU, as well as the strategic potential of AfCFTA. The authors outline key risks (uneven levels of development, infrastructure bottlenecks, external shocks) and possible scenarios for the future — from deeper multilateralism to partial fragmentation. Illustrative tables and charts support the conclusion that integration remains a key driver of growth and stability, but requires institutional renewal, digital and environmental harmonization, and compensation mechanisms for disadvantaged sectors.
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