Modern commerce is increasingly driven by the principle of freedom of movement. Thanks to enhanced international dialogue and co-operation, companies can go truly global by exploiting an extensive network of international trade links and by mobilising their workforce around the world as the need arises.
However, recent events have conspired to check the development of this model by bolstering once-crumbling borders. Even while traditionally reluctant trading partners come in from the cold to forge new alliances and a sophisticated single market evolves across Europe, the drawbridges are being pulled up elsewhere.
