The Topology of Global Trade: A Network Analysis of Logistics Performance and Tariff Rate Alignment
This study investigates the structural relationships between Most Favoured Nation Weighted Average (MFNWA) tariffs and the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) using graph theoretical analysis. While these metrics are fundamental to global trade, they are rarely analysed as intertwined networks. Utilizing World Bank data from 2007 to 2022, we construct independent association networks to measure how nations align with global tariff and logistics trends. Through measures of node degree and betweenness centrality, the research identifies nations that serve as pivotal hubs or outliers in the global trade ecosystem. Findings reveal a strong negative correlation between average MFNWA rates and LPI scores, yet a lack of correlation between their respective network degrees, suggesting that the factors driving logistics excellence and tariff alignment are governed by distinct economic drivers. The study provides a novel framework for policymakers to assess a nation’s connectivity and strategic positioning within global trade networks.
Copyright© 2026 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article’s History: Received 14th of January, 2026; Revised 11th of February, 2026; Accepted 2nd of March, 2026; Available online: 30th of March, 2026. Published as article in the Volume XXI, Spring, Issue 2(92), March, 2026.
Kelkar, A., & Sienkowski, D. (2026). The Topology of Global Trade: A Network Analysis of Logistics Performance and Tariff Rate Alignment. Journal of Applied Economic Sciences, Volume XXI, Spring, 2(92), 413-425. https://doi.org/10.57017/jaes.v21.2(92).02
Credit Authorship Contribution Statement: Kelkar, A contributed to the conceptualisation of the study, data collection and preparation, network modelling design, and the empirical analysis of the relationships between logistics performance indicators and tariff structures. He also drafted the initial version of the manuscript and conducted the visualisation of the network analysis results. Sienkowski, D. contributed to the methodological refinement, statistical validation of the analytical framework, and the interpretation of the findings within the broader context of international trade and logistics performance research. He further provided critical revisions of the manuscript for important intellectual content and participated in the final review and approval of the submitted version.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Professor Juilee Thakar from the University of Rochester for her useful insight and mentorship in this study.
Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study were obtained from the World Bank Group and are available at https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/country/by-country/startyear/LTST/end year/LTST/tradeFlow/Import/indicator/MFN-WGHTD-AVRG/partner/WLD/product/Total#; https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TM.VAL.MRCH.CD.WT; https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD; https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL; https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/LP.LPI.OVRL.XQ.
Ethical Approval Statement: This study utilized secondary data from the World Bank, which is publicly available, aggregated, and anonymized. Therefore, ethical approval was not required.
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