Analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution of iron ore trade from a geopolitical perspective: A complex network model.

Table 2 shows that the modularity index of the GIOTN underwent phased changes from 2000 to 2023: it rose gradually from 0.30 in 2000–2006 to 0.49, indicating strengthened intra‐community ties and weakened inter‐community links, with early signs of regional clustering; declined progressively to 0.06 in 2006–2014, reflecting enhanced inter‐community connectivity and greater trade network integration; peaked at 0.50 in 2015, when the network split into multiple highly autonomous trade communities, underscoring a marked trend toward regional cooperation; fell back to 0.08 in 2015–2020 as inter‐community links intensified and the network reintegrated, demonstrating the resilience of globalization; and rose again in 2021–2023, signaling stronger intra‐regional cluster connectivity in the post‐pandemic era and the reemergence of regional cooperation as a dominant feature.

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