International trade and urbanization have been two important engines of economic growth for countries around the globe. However, in recent years, both have encountered significant disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, prompting demographic shifts as people relocated away from urban centers, raising questions about the future of cities and labor markets. At the same time, post-pandemic industrial policies—ranging from subsidies to tariffs—have placed new pressures on global trade dynamics, reshaping supply chains and economic relationships between nations. As cities have historically thrived as hubs of commerce and international exchange, these shifts in trade policies and workforce distribution are redefining the economic role of urban centers. Against this evolving landscape, this talk will explore pressing issues and emerging ideas in urban and labor economics, as well as international trade, offering insights into how these forces continue to shape economic development.