Catherine H
@babyboomer0.bsky.social
Dual national French / British
Pinned
Catherine H
@babyboomer0.bsky.social
· Feb 16
📌
Reposted by Catherine H
The idea that Britain is some kind of winner from Trump’s tariffs or has received a Brexit bonus is deeply flawed. Partly as a result of Brexit, it is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to Trump’s blowing up of the global economic order.
The End of the Economic World as We Knew It
Focusing on Trump's tariffs risks missing the bigger picture. The consequences of upending the global economic order on this scale will not be limited to trade
open.substack.com
April 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The idea that Britain is some kind of winner from Trump’s tariffs or has received a Brexit bonus is deeply flawed. Partly as a result of Brexit, it is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to Trump’s blowing up of the global economic order.
Reposted by Catherine H
Absolutely tired of the psychodrama of one country being the problem of the entire planet.
April 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Absolutely tired of the psychodrama of one country being the problem of the entire planet.
Reposted by Catherine H
Trump took a VERY bizarre route to work out what tariff to impose on each country.
Instead of calibrating the USA's tariffs against the *actual* tariffs imposed on the USA by its various trading partners, he said "how much tariff would wipe out our trade deficit on paper?" - then charged half that.
Instead of calibrating the USA's tariffs against the *actual* tariffs imposed on the USA by its various trading partners, he said "how much tariff would wipe out our trade deficit on paper?" - then charged half that.
April 3, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Trump took a VERY bizarre route to work out what tariff to impose on each country.
Instead of calibrating the USA's tariffs against the *actual* tariffs imposed on the USA by its various trading partners, he said "how much tariff would wipe out our trade deficit on paper?" - then charged half that.
Instead of calibrating the USA's tariffs against the *actual* tariffs imposed on the USA by its various trading partners, he said "how much tariff would wipe out our trade deficit on paper?" - then charged half that.
Reposted by Catherine H
In case you're just waking up to the news of Trump's tariffs...
The 10% rate imposed on the UK had nothing at all to do with Starmer's attempts at diplomacy.
That's crystal clear when you realise Trump's team used a simple (and absurd!) formula to calculate tariffs, based solely on trade deficits.
The 10% rate imposed on the UK had nothing at all to do with Starmer's attempts at diplomacy.
That's crystal clear when you realise Trump's team used a simple (and absurd!) formula to calculate tariffs, based solely on trade deficits.
April 3, 2025 at 7:03 AM
In case you're just waking up to the news of Trump's tariffs...
The 10% rate imposed on the UK had nothing at all to do with Starmer's attempts at diplomacy.
That's crystal clear when you realise Trump's team used a simple (and absurd!) formula to calculate tariffs, based solely on trade deficits.
The 10% rate imposed on the UK had nothing at all to do with Starmer's attempts at diplomacy.
That's crystal clear when you realise Trump's team used a simple (and absurd!) formula to calculate tariffs, based solely on trade deficits.
Reposted by Catherine H
The suffering that will be unleashed on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos is horrific. And that's not because they have "raped" America. It's because they're poor, they can't afford many US goods but they can become wealthier by exporting to rich countries.
April 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The suffering that will be unleashed on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos is horrific. And that's not because they have "raped" America. It's because they're poor, they can't afford many US goods but they can become wealthier by exporting to rich countries.
Reposted by Catherine H
Great video just out.
Norway's opposition leader has said she wants Norway to the EU...
...and the public are warming to it too.
Norway's opposition leader has said she wants Norway to the EU...
...and the public are warming to it too.
Why Norway is Flirting With Another EU Membership Bid
YouTube video by TLDR News EU
www.youtube.com
April 2, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Great video just out.
Norway's opposition leader has said she wants Norway to the EU...
...and the public are warming to it too.
Norway's opposition leader has said she wants Norway to the EU...
...and the public are warming to it too.
Reposted by Catherine H
Labour is doing the sensible thing in seeking to limit the damage of tariffs. But there's a limit to how much humiliation this country can take. And we're getting pretty close to hitting it.
inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump has proved what a humiliating position the UK is in
We are having elements of our domestic policy dictated by tech bros in the White House
inews.co.uk
April 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Labour is doing the sensible thing in seeking to limit the damage of tariffs. But there's a limit to how much humiliation this country can take. And we're getting pretty close to hitting it.
inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Reposted by Catherine H
You know what nobody is talking about right now?
Simply this: Trump's barrage of tariffs makes a total mockery of WTO rules.
You know, the ones that Brexiters assured us again and again that we'd be just fine operating under in the event of a no-deal Brexit...
Ho hum.
Simply this: Trump's barrage of tariffs makes a total mockery of WTO rules.
You know, the ones that Brexiters assured us again and again that we'd be just fine operating under in the event of a no-deal Brexit...
Ho hum.
April 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
You know what nobody is talking about right now?
Simply this: Trump's barrage of tariffs makes a total mockery of WTO rules.
You know, the ones that Brexiters assured us again and again that we'd be just fine operating under in the event of a no-deal Brexit...
Ho hum.
Simply this: Trump's barrage of tariffs makes a total mockery of WTO rules.
You know, the ones that Brexiters assured us again and again that we'd be just fine operating under in the event of a no-deal Brexit...
Ho hum.
Reposted by Catherine H
The price of appeasement is...
10% tariffs on all goods, and 25% tariffs on cars.
Take a bow, Starmer. That Special Relationship is very, very special indeed.
10% tariffs on all goods, and 25% tariffs on cars.
Take a bow, Starmer. That Special Relationship is very, very special indeed.
April 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The price of appeasement is...
10% tariffs on all goods, and 25% tariffs on cars.
Take a bow, Starmer. That Special Relationship is very, very special indeed.
10% tariffs on all goods, and 25% tariffs on cars.
Take a bow, Starmer. That Special Relationship is very, very special indeed.
Reposted by Catherine H
Booker: "I confess that I have been imperfect. I confess that I've been inadequate to the moment. I've confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue. I confess we all must look in the mirror and say 'we will do better.'"
April 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Booker: "I confess that I have been imperfect. I confess that I've been inadequate to the moment. I've confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue. I confess we all must look in the mirror and say 'we will do better.'"
Reposted by Catherine H
Jordan Bardella : "Nous demandons la tolérance zéro pour tous les délinquants, sauf pour les affaires de détournement de fonds publics."
April 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Jordan Bardella : "Nous demandons la tolérance zéro pour tous les délinquants, sauf pour les affaires de détournement de fonds publics."
Reposted by Catherine H
The grovelling is so unbecoming.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
April 1, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The grovelling is so unbecoming.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Catherine H
“Europeans turn their backs on Tesla” Registrations of new Tesla car sales in France fell 37 per cent year on year in March to 3,157 vehicles, while those in Sweden fell 64 per cent to 911 units.
April 1, 2025 at 9:22 PM
“Europeans turn their backs on Tesla” Registrations of new Tesla car sales in France fell 37 per cent year on year in March to 3,157 vehicles, while those in Sweden fell 64 per cent to 911 units.
Reposted by Catherine H
Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford on her victory, and to the people of Wisconsin for electing a judge who believes in the rule of law and protecting our freedoms.
April 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford on her victory, and to the people of Wisconsin for electing a judge who believes in the rule of law and protecting our freedoms.
Reposted by Catherine H
It’s well known that I was on The Apprentice. We were all covered by NDAs at the time, but mine has now expired. And do I ever have some tea to spill. I’ll post it later today after consulting once again with my attorneys.
April 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
It’s well known that I was on The Apprentice. We were all covered by NDAs at the time, but mine has now expired. And do I ever have some tea to spill. I’ll post it later today after consulting once again with my attorneys.
Reposted by Catherine H
🚨🚨 This is a significant development. The whole proposal is worth reading but I would like to summarise the opinion of the Rapporteur here in short 🧵
European Parliament's draft position on the proposed revised EU law on migrant smuggling is out - crucially states that humanitarian assistance cannot be a crime - www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...
- might not be accepted by majority of MEPs (the rapporteur is a German Social Democrat) 1/
- might not be accepted by majority of MEPs (the rapporteur is a German Social Democrat) 1/
www.europarl.europa.eu
March 31, 2025 at 7:22 AM
🚨🚨 This is a significant development. The whole proposal is worth reading but I would like to summarise the opinion of the Rapporteur here in short 🧵
Reposted by Catherine H
If your dog poos on the beach you get fined £1000.
If the Water Companies dump millions of tons of poo, YOU get fined £1,000,000,000.
If the Water Companies dump millions of tons of poo, YOU get fined £1,000,000,000.
March 31, 2025 at 12:23 PM
If your dog poos on the beach you get fined £1000.
If the Water Companies dump millions of tons of poo, YOU get fined £1,000,000,000.
If the Water Companies dump millions of tons of poo, YOU get fined £1,000,000,000.
Reposted by Catherine H
Withold EU funds from member states that violate rule of law and other key principles?
Expand qualified majority voting in the Council of the EU to security and foreign policy, to prevent veto blackmail on key votes?
Yes please🇩🇪🇪🇺
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Expand qualified majority voting in the Council of the EU to security and foreign policy, to prevent veto blackmail on key votes?
Yes please🇩🇪🇪🇺
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
The time has come to punish Orbán, Germany’s next government says
Merz’s incoming coalition wants to press the EU to look at withholding funds and suspending voting rights from Hungary.
www.politico.eu
March 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Withold EU funds from member states that violate rule of law and other key principles?
Expand qualified majority voting in the Council of the EU to security and foreign policy, to prevent veto blackmail on key votes?
Yes please🇩🇪🇪🇺
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Expand qualified majority voting in the Council of the EU to security and foreign policy, to prevent veto blackmail on key votes?
Yes please🇩🇪🇪🇺
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Reposted by Catherine H
🇪🇺🇬🇧 Westminster MPs debated a petition to rejoin the EU, with many backing closer ties.
Labour’s red lines remain, but momentum for change is growing. 🙌
Labour’s red lines remain, but momentum for change is growing. 🙌
Parliament debates rejoining the EU: a surprisingly positive response
Westminster MPs debated a petition to rejoin the EU, with many backing closer ties. Labour’s red lines remain, but momentum for change is growing
northeastbylines.co.uk
March 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
🇪🇺🇬🇧 Westminster MPs debated a petition to rejoin the EU, with many backing closer ties.
Labour’s red lines remain, but momentum for change is growing. 🙌
Labour’s red lines remain, but momentum for change is growing. 🙌
Reposted by Catherine H
as a French-born journalist who's covered several French elections, I'd be more than happy to appear on your news TV programmes today and do the running man for as long as you're willing to keep the camera on me, without ever breaking eye contact with the lens
March 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
as a French-born journalist who's covered several French elections, I'd be more than happy to appear on your news TV programmes today and do the running man for as long as you're willing to keep the camera on me, without ever breaking eye contact with the lens
Reposted by Catherine H
Some people complain that I'm too down on Labour. And yet this is by no means an exhaustive list...
The reality: It's not that I am too quick to find fault, but that they are lightning-fast to create it.
Wake up and rip the rose-tinted glasses off. Labour aren't the saviours you think they are.
The reality: It's not that I am too quick to find fault, but that they are lightning-fast to create it.
Wake up and rip the rose-tinted glasses off. Labour aren't the saviours you think they are.
March 31, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Some people complain that I'm too down on Labour. And yet this is by no means an exhaustive list...
The reality: It's not that I am too quick to find fault, but that they are lightning-fast to create it.
Wake up and rip the rose-tinted glasses off. Labour aren't the saviours you think they are.
The reality: It's not that I am too quick to find fault, but that they are lightning-fast to create it.
Wake up and rip the rose-tinted glasses off. Labour aren't the saviours you think they are.
Reposted by Catherine H
Hard to overstate the importance of the Le Pen court ruling today. We find out if the French legal system can resist far-right populism better than the US did and whether France will stay firmly in the anti-Putin camp. The implications, for Europe and the world, are enormous.
March 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Hard to overstate the importance of the Le Pen court ruling today. We find out if the French legal system can resist far-right populism better than the US did and whether France will stay firmly in the anti-Putin camp. The implications, for Europe and the world, are enormous.
Reposted by Catherine H
Yep - same with US court decisions (or Romanian ones). Regardless of the future politics it's good when the courts do their job. If they don't you're screwed anyway.
Honestly, Le Pen's sentencing has nothing to do with public opinion or political strategy ahead of the 2027 election. It's to do with upholding the rule of law in the face of enormous corruption, without which democracy cannot survive anyway.
March 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Yep - same with US court decisions (or Romanian ones). Regardless of the future politics it's good when the courts do their job. If they don't you're screwed anyway.
Reposted by Catherine H
“The investigations also showed that these were not administrative errors ... but embezzlement within the framework of a system put in place to reduce the party’s costs.”
Once again, the link between right-wing authoritarianism and corruption is laid bare.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Once again, the link between right-wing authoritarianism and corruption is laid bare.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Marine Le Pen faces ban from running for public office after guilty verdict in embezzlement trial – Europe live
Exact length of ban not yet known after French far right leader and eight National Rally MEPs found guilty of misappropriating EU funds
www.theguardian.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
“The investigations also showed that these were not administrative errors ... but embezzlement within the framework of a system put in place to reduce the party’s costs.”
Once again, the link between right-wing authoritarianism and corruption is laid bare.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Once again, the link between right-wing authoritarianism and corruption is laid bare.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Catherine H
Some observations about the Marine Le Pen verdict:
1) WOW. They really went for it: prison term (w/electronic tag) and 5 years of ineligibility. That's almost exactly what the prosecutors asked for, so she's seriously guilty.
2) Will this halt the progress of the far-right in France? No. But... 1/
1) WOW. They really went for it: prison term (w/electronic tag) and 5 years of ineligibility. That's almost exactly what the prosecutors asked for, so she's seriously guilty.
2) Will this halt the progress of the far-right in France? No. But... 1/
March 31, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Some observations about the Marine Le Pen verdict:
1) WOW. They really went for it: prison term (w/electronic tag) and 5 years of ineligibility. That's almost exactly what the prosecutors asked for, so she's seriously guilty.
2) Will this halt the progress of the far-right in France? No. But... 1/
1) WOW. They really went for it: prison term (w/electronic tag) and 5 years of ineligibility. That's almost exactly what the prosecutors asked for, so she's seriously guilty.
2) Will this halt the progress of the far-right in France? No. But... 1/