Regionalisation and cross-region integration. Twin dynamics in the automotive international trade networks

The paper analyses the changes that occurred over 25 years in the geography of trade in automotive parts and components. Using the Infomap multilayer clustering algorithm, we identify clusters of countries and their specific trades in the automotive international trade network, we measure the relative importance of each cluster and the interconnections between them, and we analyse the contribution of countries and of trade of components and parts in the clusters. The analysis highlights the formation of denser and more hierarchical networks generated by Germany’s trade relations with EU countries and by the US preferential trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, as well as the surge of China. While the relative importance of the main clusters and of some individual countries change significantly, connections between clusters increase over time.