Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
decoupling
The process of separating two or more things that were previously linked, in economics and geopolitics, the unwinding of integrated supply chains, financial flows, or trade relationships between countries
From de- (reverse) + couple (to join); contemporary usage in economics emerged in early 2010s and intensified during US-China trade tensions from 2018
"US-China decoupling, accelerated by tariff measures, technology export restrictions, and supply chain diversification, has restructured global trade flows and created opportunities for India's 'China-Plus-One' positioning, though tariff uncertainty in 2026 may reverse some of these gains."
Essential vocabulary for GS2 (International Relations, US-China dynamics, Indo-Pacific strategy) and GS3 (Economy, global supply chains, trade policy). Often paired with 'friend-shoring' (locating production with allied countries) and 'near-shoring' (locating production closer to home market). Important for India's manufacturing strategy, FTA decisions, and geopolitical positioning.
