Arthur Leichthammer
@aleichthammer.bsky.social
Policy Fellow Geoeconomics @ Jacques Delors Centre, Berlin
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
EPP leader Manfred Weber just gave a very good keynote speech on the future of Europe in Berlin tonight, putting forward seven principles for a stronger EU.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
November 10, 2025 at 7:41 PM
EPP leader Manfred Weber just gave a very good keynote speech on the future of Europe in Berlin tonight, putting forward seven principles for a stronger EU.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
It's been a rough year for European trade policy. The deal with the US, disputes with China and an overall sense of a worsening economic climate. My latest piece tries to draw out some lessons for Europe www.cer.eu/insights/thr...
Three hard lessons for European trade
Global trade policy is now dominated by great power politics, putting Europe under pressure. The EU will have to accommodate the US, confront China and derisk from both.
www.cer.eu
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
It's been a rough year for European trade policy. The deal with the US, disputes with China and an overall sense of a worsening economic climate. My latest piece tries to draw out some lessons for Europe www.cer.eu/insights/thr...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
The Commission is set to finally unveil the Democracy Shield 🛡️on 12 November! Here is what it will look like and what details will matter. 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The Commission is set to finally unveil the Democracy Shield 🛡️on 12 November! Here is what it will look like and what details will matter. 🧵
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Woah what a cover from Handelsblatt.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
October 31, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Woah what a cover from Handelsblatt.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
While the European Council in Brussels took the spotlight, this week's events in Strasbourg should set off alarm bells. The European Parliament slamming the brakes on the first “Omnibus” package isn’t just a hiccup – it’s a symptom of strain in the EU’s democratic engine. A thread 🧵
October 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
While the European Council in Brussels took the spotlight, this week's events in Strasbourg should set off alarm bells. The European Parliament slamming the brakes on the first “Omnibus” package isn’t just a hiccup – it’s a symptom of strain in the EU’s democratic engine. A thread 🧵
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
By every metric, the industry is in deep trouble — and none of it has anything to do with future emission rules or an engine ban a decade away.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
By every metric, the industry is in deep trouble — and none of it has anything to do with future emission rules or an engine ban a decade away.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
!!
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
October 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
!!
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Should other EU countries copy Germany's Industriestrompreis?
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Should other EU countries copy Germany's Industriestrompreis?
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
This Thursday, the European Parliament’s @imco.europarl.europa.eu will vote on the ‘transparency of third-country lobbying’ directive. The directive is intended to counter foreign interference by introducing mandatory national transparency registers for third-country lobbying. 1/
October 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This Thursday, the European Parliament’s @imco.europarl.europa.eu will vote on the ‘transparency of third-country lobbying’ directive. The directive is intended to counter foreign interference by introducing mandatory national transparency registers for third-country lobbying. 1/
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Today, the EU’s Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising enters into force. From now on, political ads – notably both online and offline – will have to carry a transparency label with key information about why people are seeing the ad, who paid for it and how much. 1/
October 10, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Today, the EU’s Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising enters into force. From now on, political ads – notably both online and offline – will have to carry a transparency label with key information about why people are seeing the ad, who paid for it and how much. 1/
Here we go again...
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Here we go again...
Was wondering what COM would use to replace lapsing steel safeguards.
In theory, quotas can be WTO-legal, but only if non-discriminatory (historic import shares + consultations), also continuity of safeguards is pretty obvious: very open to be challenged.. what d'y'all think?
In theory, quotas can be WTO-legal, but only if non-discriminatory (historic import shares + consultations), also continuity of safeguards is pretty obvious: very open to be challenged.. what d'y'all think?
Commission will table a TRQ system to replace its steel safeguard on Tuesday. Industry backs the move and wants an out-of-quota 50% tariff. Also - it wants it all done and dusted by the end of the year! More here by me for @borderlex.net borderlex.net/2025/10/01/e...
EU to replace steel safeguard with country-specific quotas - Borderlex
The European Commission will propose replacing the bloc's steel safeguard with tariff rate quotas for each trading partner on Tuesday (7 October).
borderlex.net
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Was wondering what COM would use to replace lapsing steel safeguards.
In theory, quotas can be WTO-legal, but only if non-discriminatory (historic import shares + consultations), also continuity of safeguards is pretty obvious: very open to be challenged.. what d'y'all think?
In theory, quotas can be WTO-legal, but only if non-discriminatory (historic import shares + consultations), also continuity of safeguards is pretty obvious: very open to be challenged.. what d'y'all think?
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Driven by fear of the far right, the EU is losing its compass, whether on migration, climate or Gaza. By undermining its own principles, Europe weakens its global position and risks losing not just dignity but political agency.
With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen
European leaders’ weakness is undermining the democratic principles on which the EU was built, say Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen from the Jacques Delors Centre
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Driven by fear of the far right, the EU is losing its compass, whether on migration, climate or Gaza. By undermining its own principles, Europe weakens its global position and risks losing not just dignity but political agency.
With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Europe cannot afford to treat its values as expendable. Each concession to the far right corrodes democracy at home and erodes its credibility abroad. By reducing principles to luxuries, Europe risks losing not just its dignity but political agency.
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social
If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen
If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen
European leaders’ weakness is undermining the democratic principles on which the EU was built, say Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen from the Jacques Delors Centre
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Europe cannot afford to treat its values as expendable. Each concession to the far right corrodes democracy at home and erodes its credibility abroad. By reducing principles to luxuries, Europe risks losing not just its dignity but political agency.
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
EU and Indonesia agree trade deal on.ft.com/4pFqsPE
EU and Indonesia agree trade deal
Brussels and Jakarta to sign pact next week as they seek to reduce reliance on US
on.ft.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
EU and Indonesia agree trade deal on.ft.com/4pFqsPE
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Me when my paper's policy implications still haven't been implemented one year into into the peer review process.
September 16, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Me when my paper's policy implications still haven't been implemented one year into into the peer review process.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
A few quick impressions from @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's State of the Union address: ec.europa.eu/commission/p... /
2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
President von der Leyen delivered the first State of the Union Address of the 2024-2029 Commission. \n
ec.europa.eu
September 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A few quick impressions from @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's State of the Union address: ec.europa.eu/commission/p... /
After a lil back-and-forth, COM decides to enforce legislation.
Google has 60 days to set out plan to change activities COMP has deemed uncompetitive
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
Google has 60 days to set out plan to change activities COMP has deemed uncompetitive
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
EU fines Google €2.95 billion - Euractiv
The US tech giant was fined for violating EU competition rules in the advertising technology market
www.euractiv.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
After a lil back-and-forth, COM decides to enforce legislation.
Google has 60 days to set out plan to change activities COMP has deemed uncompetitive
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
Google has 60 days to set out plan to change activities COMP has deemed uncompetitive
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
On the WTO compatibility of the EU-US deal, some clear statements from @sabineweyand.bsky.social during the INTA hearing:
1) US+EU regard agreement as first step, for EU that means striving for WTO compatibility
2) US was not ready to sing up to a commitment to strive fore WTO compatibility /1
1) US+EU regard agreement as first step, for EU that means striving for WTO compatibility
2) US was not ready to sing up to a commitment to strive fore WTO compatibility /1
September 4, 2025 at 9:57 AM
On the WTO compatibility of the EU-US deal, some clear statements from @sabineweyand.bsky.social during the INTA hearing:
1) US+EU regard agreement as first step, for EU that means striving for WTO compatibility
2) US was not ready to sing up to a commitment to strive fore WTO compatibility /1
1) US+EU regard agreement as first step, for EU that means striving for WTO compatibility
2) US was not ready to sing up to a commitment to strive fore WTO compatibility /1
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Political party discovers that higher tax rates lead to higher tax revenues.
September 3, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Political party discovers that higher tax rates lead to higher tax revenues.
🧵
Yesterday, the EU postponed a major antitrust fine against Google in its adtech case - reportedly after Šefčovič lobbied to avoid clashing with the fragile US trade deal and the promised cut in car tariffs.
Yesterday, the EU postponed a major antitrust fine against Google in its adtech case - reportedly after Šefčovič lobbied to avoid clashing with the fragile US trade deal and the promised cut in car tariffs.
September 3, 2025 at 2:39 PM
🧵
Yesterday, the EU postponed a major antitrust fine against Google in its adtech case - reportedly after Šefčovič lobbied to avoid clashing with the fragile US trade deal and the promised cut in car tariffs.
Yesterday, the EU postponed a major antitrust fine against Google in its adtech case - reportedly after Šefčovič lobbied to avoid clashing with the fragile US trade deal and the promised cut in car tariffs.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
The US government is once again ramping up its rhetoric on the EU’s Digital Services Act. It is now reportedly considering imposing sanctions on Commission staff responsible for implementing the DSA. This would be an unprecedented move. 🧵⬇️
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
Donald Trump threatens retaliation over taxes that ‘discriminate’ against US tech
President claims other countries’ digital levies hurt American companies while ignoring China
www.ft.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The US government is once again ramping up its rhetoric on the EU’s Digital Services Act. It is now reportedly considering imposing sanctions on Commission staff responsible for implementing the DSA. This would be an unprecedented move. 🧵⬇️
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
While it's getting a little repetitive it also makes my work easier: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion and there is no certainty for agreed upon "deals".
That was quick
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...
August 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
While it's getting a little repetitive it also makes my work easier: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion and there is no certainty for agreed upon "deals".
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
"'The number is not incredibly unrealistic but the EU’s ability to credibly commit to it is limited,' @aleichthammer.bsky.social told #CNBC. As for Trump’s suggestion of potentially higher tariffs if the investment does not materialize? “That’s exactly the risk." 👉 www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/t...
Trump is hailing the EU's $600 billion investment pledge — but it might never happen
The European Union has said that the investment would come from the private sector.
www.cnbc.com
August 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
"'The number is not incredibly unrealistic but the EU’s ability to credibly commit to it is limited,' @aleichthammer.bsky.social told #CNBC. As for Trump’s suggestion of potentially higher tariffs if the investment does not materialize? “That’s exactly the risk." 👉 www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/t...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Here we go again. EU just isn't dealing with a good-faith actor on the other side. The lack of interest in anything stable, permanent or predictable doesn't fit into EU's mental model. Ultimately it's about incentives - if there's no negative consequence, US is always going to come back for more.
This is insane.
Queue the point that I keep on banging on about: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion (and there is no such thing as a deal yet).
His last sentence on pharma being excluded from 15% ceiling will bring some renewed worries to EU (and especially Ireland).
Queue the point that I keep on banging on about: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion (and there is no such thing as a deal yet).
His last sentence on pharma being excluded from 15% ceiling will bring some renewed worries to EU (and especially Ireland).
Trump on his EU trade deal: "The details are $600 billion to invest in anything I want. Anything. I can do anything I want with it."
August 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Here we go again. EU just isn't dealing with a good-faith actor on the other side. The lack of interest in anything stable, permanent or predictable doesn't fit into EU's mental model. Ultimately it's about incentives - if there's no negative consequence, US is always going to come back for more.