In the theoretical part of the study, the factors affecting economic growth are systematized, the leading role of international trade as a lever of economic growth is highlighted. It is concluded that at different historical stages there is variability of economic progress’ determinants, sources and driving forces. The evolution of theoretical views on the mechanism of international trade’s influence on the unevenness of global economic development is given. The foreign trade’s lever was singled out as a constant and key in the context of the technological paradigm transformation at the stage of active use of cybernetic systems and digitalization.
The emergence of new types of foreign trade policy in the context of the intensification of the economic development technological transformation been revealed. The formation of a new type of foreign trade policy (digital neo-protectionism) is characteristic of developed countries, and is used to preserve national competitive advantages. A definition of digital protectionism is given. The policy of digital protectionism in the countries of Asia and Europe is analyzed. The relevance of digital protectionism for Ukraine is determined in order to increase the competitiveness of the country's economy. This could be due to the comparative advantages’ development in modern technological industries in the conditions of the post-industrial type of economy formation.
In the analytical part of the study, the leading trends of global economic development at the current stage are determined; the positioning of countries in the conditions of uneven global economic development is analyzed; the current trends in international trade are outlined in the context of the countries' foreign trade policy transformation.
Modern transformations of the countries’ foreign economic policy in the conditions of digitalization were analyzed. It was determined that the leading countries of the world understand the role of digital technologies and technological shifts in economic development and see digital transformations as a priority, which, in turn, affects the transformation of foreign trade policy as well. Thus, developed countries are focused on the protection of the national economy and the protection of domestic producers: export, re-export of products and technologies from the country, transfer of products and technologies to the territory of other states are regulated by law. Developing countries, on the other hand, are aimed at greater integration into global value chains, which involves a systematic increase in the openness of the economy both in trade and investment.
When carrying out the author's calculations of the Trade Conditions Index, a conclusion was made about the variability of trade conditions in countries depending on the level of economic development. The most economically developed countries with significant scientific, technical and investment potential have stable terms of trade. Another group of countries shows a deterioration in trade conditions, particularly during pandemic years, which indicates the use of protectionist measures.
In the resulting part of the study, econometric modeling of the impact of economic development on the countries’ foreign trade was carried out. The imperatives of countries' foreign trade in the context of uneven global economic development are determined, namely: in the conditions of digital transformations, there is variability in the determinants of countries' foreign trade depending on the degree of economic and technological development.
The Integral index of international trade in the conditions of digitalization was substantiated, developed and calculated. It became possible to single out the leading drivers that influence on the effectiveness of international trade of countries in modern conditions. It was confirmed the leading role of foreign trade policy for countries in modern conditions. It was substantiated the modern directions of countries’ foreign trade policy transformation in conditions of uneven global economic development.
A logical and structural diagram of the country's trade policy transformation in conditions of uneven global economic development has been developed. It includes the goals and areas of transformation in the context of the global digital transition, as well as the measures necessary for the effective implementation of these changes, highlighting the need to coordinate the use of digital neo-protectionism policy, which is important for both developed and developing countries in the context of global digital transformations.
Keywords: international trade, global trade, foreign trade, export, import, foreign economic activity, international trade policy, foreign economic policy, foreign trade policy, protectionism, neoprotectionism, digitization, digital trade, tariff and non-tariff measures, asymmetric trading.
