I became Chapter President of the @vangelisv.bsky.social fan club when I received signed memorabilia (he played along on a gift in jest) This from @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social is very kind and insightful (as always). Therefore, once I connect with Sam FanClub HQ, I will start a membership drive.

This week's edition of MFN is about why it is hard for the UK to get anything from the EU, and also some thoughts on EU-CPTPP rules of origin (mainly for @columnist.bsky.social and @asiatrademonitor.bsky.social) mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/asymmetric...

Of all the errors made about the modern global economic system, the worst is to assume that interconnected supply chains are less resilient than relying on domestic production. Evidence is that the exact opposite is the case, however unintuitive that may seem.

Interesting from MEP Trade Committee Chair Lange "Lange demands that the EU join the CPTPP. "In substance, hardly anything will change for us," ... . "But it sends a clear signal that we want to achieve stability," he emphasized." (google translated) www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

A quiet shift may be underway in global trade. Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is pushing discussions to align two of the world’s biggest trade blocs — the EU and the CPTPP. #GlobalTrade #Economics #TradePolicy #EU #CPTPP #SupplyChains #WorldEconomy #RulesBasedOrder #InternationalTrade

Can political scientists undertake to resolve what an "Iron Triangle" describes. Personally, an Iron Triangle should only be used to describe "Bureaucracy, Corporate, Political" decision making models (esp in US and Japan). However ...

The visual of the EU and CPTPP whales in a mating dance is one which will live rent free in my brain for many months.

Frankly, a little disappointed I only ranked in the top 4%.

"Instead of a single, reformed rules-based trading system, a mosaic of partial agreements and creative “docking” arrangements between blocs could develop. One option would be to bring together two of the world’s largest trading blocs, the EU and the CPTPP" www.economist.com/the-world-ah...

Although @robarmstrong.bsky.social has demonstrated a good French accent - he has fumbled with "Tricolor" in recent months. I think @weisenthal.bsky.social showed the way channeling his inner Frenchman, with an unmistakable "Tricolore" (like the French flag or Montreal Canadiens)

"Mate, I can't do anything but tell it to you straight. This Canada thing is literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The Canadians ran an advertisement showing Ronald Reagan being against tariffs. Guess what? Ronald Reagan was against tariffs."

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10... So now's when @mmasnick.bsky.social revolutionizes international political economy with a field defining article on The Streisand Effect and How Reagan Hated Tariffs.

TIL that @robarmstrong.bsky.social has a pretty good French accent. Merde! open.spotify.com/episode/2V0Q...

@vangelisv.bsky.social is this hire by Wellington Phoenix linked to the recent resolution of the Canada-NZ dairy dispute? Was facilitating this trade in service part of the agreed compromise? www.tsn.ca/soccer/forme...

Trade is a Two Level game? Taps the avatar 🤞

Very good phone call with Lawrence Wong. Singapore is a like-minded partner. I look forward to deepening our partnership – from security and defence to innovation. And to exploring closer trade cooperation with the wider region #CPTPP Read-out ↓ europa.eu/!xx9b9v

Brussels looks to like-minded partners as the 🇺🇸 US pulls back from #globaltrade rules The 🇪🇺 EU is eyeing closer ties with #CPTPP countries—thanks to 🇳🇿 New Zealand's diplomatic offensive and 🇨🇦 Canada’s energetic #tradepolicy By Iana Dreyer 👇 borderlex.net/2025/04/11/v...

There are several trackers of Trump Administration trade actions (thank you PIIE) -- is anyone consolidating the responses by trading partners? Of particular interest are the MFN busting unilateral concessions given only to the U.S.?

The Economist proposes that the EU join the CPTPP. @sweboardoftrade.bsky.social published a similar proposal in 2023. Our proposal was not full CPTPP membership but a plan to forge a joint EU-CPTPP free trade area. By reforming rules-of-origin in existing agreements www.economist.com/leaders/2025...

CPTPP Love Poem Canada, dear, we built a stage, Wrote the rules, set the wage. Through wintered halls, in policy’s glow, You held me close—you let me grow But trade is restless, never still, It bends to time, to sovereign will. The General Review reshapes my lines, Rewriting terms, redrawing signs

A little palate cleanser for you. Kinder, gentler times youtu.be/-_y6PHvFD5A?...

With 1 month until Valentine's day, we are all on the same page that #TradeValentines is leaving the Bad Place, and transitioning here? @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social -- what is the verdict?

On the hunt for academic or think tank pieces about the CPTPP. Seeking to expand collection. Anything interesting - positive or negative assessments welcome. punching above my weight-attn: @devonwhittle.bsky.social; @simonlester.com; @inumanak.bsky.social; @policyalternatives.bsky.social

In order to get @vangelisv.bsky.social on here more, the first step is obviously to get Wellington Phoenix FC more here too.