A Social Network Analysis of China-U.S. Status Dynamics

This study employs Social Network Analysis (SNA) to examine the evolution of the global trade architecture and the relative status dynamics between China and the United States from 1996 to 2024. Based on trade data for 63 major economies, we construct longitudinal networks and compute multidimensional centrality metrics. The results reveal a significant structural reconfiguration characterized by a clear divergence in national trajectories: China’s trade status shows a strong upward trend, whereas the U.S. status exhibits a mild decline.