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.
