Aslak Berg
@aslak.bsky.social
Trade, public policy, economics, research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, formerly with the Norwegian civil service and EFTA
Reposted by Aslak Berg
My take on the Australia deal has mellowed a little in hindsight. Yes, the UK probably gave away more than it needed to, but in the end that was probably in line with the policy preferences of the gov't at the time. And I don't think Australia had much more of value to offer in any case.
December 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
My take on the Australia deal has mellowed a little in hindsight. Yes, the UK probably gave away more than it needed to, but in the end that was probably in line with the policy preferences of the gov't at the time. And I don't think Australia had much more of value to offer in any case.
Reading the Hobbit for the first time in decades and reminded what an excellent writer Tolkien could be, with long, fluid, vibrant sentences that seem to engage you in conversation. None of these short, bland and limp sentences so fashionable these days - just a joy to read. Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reading the Hobbit for the first time in decades and reminded what an excellent writer Tolkien could be, with long, fluid, vibrant sentences that seem to engage you in conversation. None of these short, bland and limp sentences so fashionable these days - just a joy to read. Merry Christmas!
Celebrating Christmas by fixing a leaky kitchen sink. Pro tip: get one of those silicon trays under your sink to protect from water damage
December 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Celebrating Christmas by fixing a leaky kitchen sink. Pro tip: get one of those silicon trays under your sink to protect from water damage
Reposted by Aslak Berg
Reflections on the European Council decision to borrow €90 billion and lend it to Ukraine. Tl; dr: Ukraine benefits, but not enough; Putin & Trump will be encouraged; the EU & individual member-states have shown that it’s still too easy to intimidate them. 🧵1/13
December 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reflections on the European Council decision to borrow €90 billion and lend it to Ukraine. Tl; dr: Ukraine benefits, but not enough; Putin & Trump will be encouraged; the EU & individual member-states have shown that it’s still too easy to intimidate them. 🧵1/13
Reposted by Aslak Berg
The 2025-6 Clara Marina O'Donnell fellow, @thomasmaddock.bsky.social , with his first insight for @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, on the EU's failed approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict - a topic close to Clara's own heart.
The EU has leverage over Israel and the Palestinian Authority. But internal divisions and damaged credibility have blunted its leverage.
How can the EU fix its broken Israel-Palestine policy?
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social piece by @thomasmaddock.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/eN3ueIG
How can the EU fix its broken Israel-Palestine policy?
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social piece by @thomasmaddock.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/eN3ueIG
December 17, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The 2025-6 Clara Marina O'Donnell fellow, @thomasmaddock.bsky.social , with his first insight for @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, on the EU's failed approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict - a topic close to Clara's own heart.
Reposted by Aslak Berg
Often, Berlin is the main veto player when it comes to decisive EU action. But this week, for once, Berlin is a key driver of getting both the reparations loan and Mercosur over the finish line.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
December 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Often, Berlin is the main veto player when it comes to decisive EU action. But this week, for once, Berlin is a key driver of getting both the reparations loan and Mercosur over the finish line.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
Reposted by Aslak Berg
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 Aslak Berg
Europe must boost its productivity through adopting foreign technologies - while also boosting its economic security. Can it manage both at once?
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @aslak.bsky.social
& @zach-meyers.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/GyzXI4o
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @aslak.bsky.social
& @zach-meyers.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/GyzXI4o
December 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Europe must boost its productivity through adopting foreign technologies - while also boosting its economic security. Can it manage both at once?
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @aslak.bsky.social
& @zach-meyers.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/GyzXI4o
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @aslak.bsky.social
& @zach-meyers.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/GyzXI4o
Reposted by Aslak Berg
The Trump administration's industrial policy U-turn and aggressive trade policy are reshaping global clean tech markets. For EU manufacturers, it's a tale of two shocks: falling US demand + surging Chinese competition. Our new policy brief discusses what's happening and what Europe needs to do 🧵
Between a rock and a hard place: Europe's clean tech industry is caught between Trump’s policies and Chinese pressure. #cleantech
New policy brief by @lucas-res-car.bsky.social, @elisabettaco.bsky.social, @etiennehoera.d-64.social & @ph-jaeg.bsky.social.
Read here: buff.ly/mzBkqRa
New policy brief by @lucas-res-car.bsky.social, @elisabettaco.bsky.social, @etiennehoera.d-64.social & @ph-jaeg.bsky.social.
Read here: buff.ly/mzBkqRa
December 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The Trump administration's industrial policy U-turn and aggressive trade policy are reshaping global clean tech markets. For EU manufacturers, it's a tale of two shocks: falling US demand + surging Chinese competition. Our new policy brief discusses what's happening and what Europe needs to do 🧵
Reposted by Aslak Berg
When I finished writing this a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect that the US would set out in its National Security Strategy how it could help Putin achieve his goals.
#Russia has made two failed attempts to get the West to accept a Russian sphere of influence in Eastern Europe by diplomatic means. Now #Putin is intent on creating a sphere of influence by force. 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social paper by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/gzMAkk4
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social paper by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/gzMAkk4
December 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
When I finished writing this a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect that the US would set out in its National Security Strategy how it could help Putin achieve his goals.
Every time I’m in Sweden I’m profoundly disturbed by this book store’s completely ungrammatical name
December 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Every time I’m in Sweden I’m profoundly disturbed by this book store’s completely ungrammatical name
Reposted by Aslak Berg
This is a good paper from @aslak.bsky.social and CER colleagues on aligning productivity and security, particularly on the prioritisation that will be essential in considering dependencies, and the need to continue to be competitive globally. mailings.cer.eu/publications...
Resilient growth: Aligning productivity and security
The European Competitiveness Fund could be a powerful tool to improve the EU's economic security. But the proposal needs reform to avoid pitting security and growth against each other.
mailings.cer.eu
December 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This is a good paper from @aslak.bsky.social and CER colleagues on aligning productivity and security, particularly on the prioritisation that will be essential in considering dependencies, and the need to continue to be competitive globally. mailings.cer.eu/publications...
Reposted by Aslak Berg
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Do check out our new report - and come join us in Brussels for a round table discussion on it on Wednesday!
The European Competitiveness Fund risks pitting economy security and economic growth against each other.
In a new @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise policy brief, @aslak.bsky.social & @zach-meyers.bsky.social propose a toolkit to unlock the ECF's potential
buff.ly/GyzXI4o
In a new @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise policy brief, @aslak.bsky.social & @zach-meyers.bsky.social propose a toolkit to unlock the ECF's potential
buff.ly/GyzXI4o
December 8, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Do check out our new report - and come join us in Brussels for a round table discussion on it on Wednesday!
Reposted by Aslak Berg
There's something here about the distance between politics and experts, because it isn't as if any of us are hard to find to say this Labour Customs Union chatter is going nowhere
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
December 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
There's something here about the distance between politics and experts, because it isn't as if any of us are hard to find to say this Labour Customs Union chatter is going nowhere
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
December 8, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
Reposted by Aslak Berg
Sensible conclusion to Sam’s newsletter. When UK politicians talk about joining the EU CU they aren’t (usually) talking about a or let alone the CU - they’re making a rhetorical approximation for something that would negate all the negative aspects of Brexit on trade in goods.
A lot of this comes down to UK politicians wanting to negate the consequences of Brexit without negating Brexit itself. But no, you can't have your cake and eat it too - and I don't think a very overt dependency on EU policy with no say is sustainable for the UK.
December 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Sensible conclusion to Sam’s newsletter. When UK politicians talk about joining the EU CU they aren’t (usually) talking about a or let alone the CU - they’re making a rhetorical approximation for something that would negate all the negative aspects of Brexit on trade in goods.
@samuelmarclowe.bsky.social has a good discussion on customs unions in his newsletter. Just a couple points: the below is true, but I don't think it matters all that much - since if the UK wanted to impose significantly higher tariffs than the EU, it would presumably to reroute trade through the EU.
December 8, 2025 at 5:46 AM
@samuelmarclowe.bsky.social has a good discussion on customs unions in his newsletter. Just a couple points: the below is true, but I don't think it matters all that much - since if the UK wanted to impose significantly higher tariffs than the EU, it would presumably to reroute trade through the EU.
Reposted by Aslak Berg
Come join us in Brussels next week!
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
December 2, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Come join us in Brussels next week!
Come join us in Brussels next week!
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
December 2, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Come join us in Brussels next week!
Norway mentioned 🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴
First time I’ve seen a post complaining about (((Norwegians)))
December 2, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Norway mentioned 🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴
Reposted by Aslak Berg
Exxon-Mobil (current market cap): $488B
Norway GDP (2025 est): $517B
Dispersed by TARP to rescue the financial system (adjusted for inflation): $667B
Saudi Arabia GDP (2025 est): $1268B
Amount OpenAI is on the hook for that’ll ruin companies’ balance sheets if OpenAI can’t make good: $1400B
Norway GDP (2025 est): $517B
Dispersed by TARP to rescue the financial system (adjusted for inflation): $667B
Saudi Arabia GDP (2025 est): $1268B
Amount OpenAI is on the hook for that’ll ruin companies’ balance sheets if OpenAI can’t make good: $1400B
December 1, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Exxon-Mobil (current market cap): $488B
Norway GDP (2025 est): $517B
Dispersed by TARP to rescue the financial system (adjusted for inflation): $667B
Saudi Arabia GDP (2025 est): $1268B
Amount OpenAI is on the hook for that’ll ruin companies’ balance sheets if OpenAI can’t make good: $1400B
Norway GDP (2025 est): $517B
Dispersed by TARP to rescue the financial system (adjusted for inflation): $667B
Saudi Arabia GDP (2025 est): $1268B
Amount OpenAI is on the hook for that’ll ruin companies’ balance sheets if OpenAI can’t make good: $1400B
Everyone is unhappy, directly or indirectly, with the fact that everyone else didn't get enough kids to support the elderly in the way and at the cost we expect. And politics gets the blame.
I'm not sure a squeezed middle isn't an almost inevitable consequence of demographics. There are 13 million pensioners in the UK. Compared to 25 million full time workers. Do the maths, it won't be pretty however you cut it.
Latest from me: on the budget, Labour's troubles, & the government's increasingly tense & distant relationship with the UK's squeezed middle www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 30, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Everyone is unhappy, directly or indirectly, with the fact that everyone else didn't get enough kids to support the elderly in the way and at the cost we expect. And politics gets the blame.
Reposted by Aslak Berg
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration
Reposted by Aslak Berg
On customs unions and sovereignty. I'd add that we're in new era of weaponised trade.
There's a prevailing idea in the UK that a customs union with the EU would be a compromise solution if single market membership is not possible, e.g @eddavey.libdems.org.uk and @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social recently. But a customs union is, from a trade policy, a more radical step. (1/N)
November 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On customs unions and sovereignty. I'd add that we're in new era of weaponised trade.