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aslak.bsky.social
Trade, public policy, economics, research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, formerly with the Norwegian civil service and EFTA
336 posts 4,289 followers 342 following
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Canadian export dependency on the US is almost twice as high as UK export dependency on the EU. For those looking to make Brexit comparisons this is far worse and Canada is in a much weaker position.

submitted 14 hours ago • 0 comments

Seriously and literally

submitted 15 hours ago • 1 comment

An underrated part of this video is you can watch the Dow go down in real time in the bottom right

submitted 16 hours ago • 16 comments

The US looked at the Brexit years in Britain and said ‘hold my beer’

submitted 15 hours ago • 1 comment

This is the key point. The UK and Europe have to try to keep President Trump engaged diplomatically for as long as possible. But that needs to be about buying time to build security independence, not being in denial about the need for that independence.

submitted 1 day ago • 11 comments

In a new twist, @table.media reports that Macron and Merz have discussed a large "defense fund" akin to the ESM that should have a bank license to hand out loans to finance defense projects. I remain sceptical because there is a fundamental misunderstanding here what "to finance" means. Thread:

submitted 4 days ago • 4 comments

“The best air defence systems for your summer estate”

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

I don't know what to say

submitted 1 day ago • 15 comments

It's hard to express just how bad things are in DC

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

@aslak.bsky.social a research fellow at the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social think-tank, said it was telling that while Mr Trump referred to “trade deals” at the White House, Sir Keir was careful to call them “economic deals”.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Good top lines from Keir Starmer - including continued military aid to Ukraine, increased economic pressure on Russia, & steps to deter future Russian aggression - including UK 'boots on the ground & planes in the air". This is not Trump's "peace at any price". www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

Starmer and the UK government apparatus behind him have been excellent this week. Credit to 🇬🇧

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

America has just been Freedom Fried.

submitted 2 days ago • 2 comments

Mood in Norway, pancakes are 🇨🇦

submitted 2 days ago • 7 comments

The PM has spoken to Presidents Zelensky and Trump tonight. Number 10 spox says: "He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine."

submitted 3 days ago • 21 comments

I feel seen

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

I’d say tonight might mark the beginning of the end for the transatlantic alliance, but we still have Canada

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Deutschland kann seine Wirtschaft nicht allein retten – es braucht eine europäische Industriepolitik. Spannendes Gespräch mit WDR, wo man mir sogar Optimismus nachsagte. Es gibt Hoffnung – Merz, Macron und von der Leyen müssen Europas Stärke jetzt nutzen. www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/poli...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Timely and important piece by my colleague @aslak.bsky.social .

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

My recommendations are looking right so far. Above all, with Starmer meeting Trump today, "the UK cannot afford to go along with a Trump-Putin carve-up of European spheres of influence that would leave all of Europe more vulnerable to Russian neo-imperialism".

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

The UK approach to Trump is not particularly heroic - perhaps not even dignified - but it seems to be effective.

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

For the record, I disagree with this. I don't think any deal will be particularly costly - Trump's track record shows this - and it's unlikley to cover areas where the UK want to align with the EU.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

If the UK and US sign a free trade deal during the Trump presidency I will eat all the headgear I own (woolly hats, bike helmets, the lot).

submitted 4 days ago • 11 comments

Could mean anything, most likely doesn't mean much, but it kicks the can down the road for a while

submitted 4 days ago • 7 comments

I think my piece from December has held up pretty well. Probably no real FTA, but some regulatory cooperation and no new tariffs either on UK exports

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Most important thing is that would presumably exclude US tariffs on the UK.

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

Trump talks about a trade deal with the UK, but Starmer talked about an "economic deal". My hunch is you're more likely to see some kind of investment/regulatory agreement than a classic FTA.

submitted 4 days ago • 11 comments

To dissuade the US from #tariffs, the EU should target businesses close to the administration, such as Musk’s X, Tesla and SpaceX. 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @aslak.bsky.social Read here: https://buff.ly/4ifTsZB

submitted 5 days ago • 3 comments

Two weeks ago Trump announced his "Fair and Reciprocal" tariff plan (that is neither fair nor reciprocal). It's the most radical proposal yet and a recipe for trade war. I argue that the EU must be firm and respond inter alia by targeting Elon Musk amongst others

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

Just facts!

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment