Economic Shockwaves and Extremist Pathways: A Dual-Perspective Analysis of the 2025 Trade War's Psychological Impact

Trade wars, though driven by economic objectives, had repercussions extending beyond the economy into social and political spheres. Using a qualitative research design, this study examines the connection between the 2025 trade war and the potential rise of violent extremism by interviewing two key groups: former terrorist offenders, who provide insider perspectives, and terrorism analysts, who offer outsider viewpoints on extremist groups. The findings reveal that contemporary extremists can be categorized by ideology, scope, generational cohort, and behavioral patterns. The study further highlights how global economic instability, which leads to local crises, can exacerbate extremism and criminal behavior, particularly within vulnerable communities. This study identifies three classifications of extremists based on their responses to economic crises: “deradicalized”, “exploiters”, and “vulnerable”.