Breffni Carpenter
@breffcarpenter.bsky.social
Former Civil Servant including Diplomatic postings to WTO and Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
No surprise. The 128 countries—77% of the WTO’s membership—were blocked for the 11th time today in their attempt to add their plurilateral investment facilitation agreement to the WTO rule book. India, South Africa and Türkiye are the blocking countries.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/07/22/1...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/07/22/1...
128 WTO members fail at 11th attempt to formalise plurilateral investment deal
Once again three quarters of WTO members find consensus blocked on adding their deal to WTO rules even though dissenters would be free riders
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
No surprise. The 128 countries—77% of the WTO’s membership—were blocked for the 11th time today in their attempt to add their plurilateral investment facilitation agreement to the WTO rule book. India, South Africa and Türkiye are the blocking countries.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/07/22/1...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/07/22/1...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
EU Commission evaluation of the EU/Canada free trade agreement - highly positive - ec.europa.eu/transparency...
Register of Commission Documents
ec.europa.eu
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 AM
EU Commission evaluation of the EU/Canada free trade agreement - highly positive - ec.europa.eu/transparency...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Cutting off all trade negotiations with Mexico because the Taco Bell ad that aired during the 2am rerun of NCIS: MIAMI made wildly untrue claims about just how 'Loco' their new cheesy burrito bowl is.
Thank you for your attention to this platter. President DJT.
Thank you for your attention to this platter. President DJT.
October 24, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Cutting off all trade negotiations with Mexico because the Taco Bell ad that aired during the 2am rerun of NCIS: MIAMI made wildly untrue claims about just how 'Loco' their new cheesy burrito bowl is.
Thank you for your attention to this platter. President DJT.
Thank you for your attention to this platter. President DJT.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first? youtu.be/9oP9HPhB-VI?...
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first? youtu.be/9oP9HPhB-VI?...
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
What the internet's for.
Pete Hegseth accidentally flipping a skateboard into his nuts on live TV
September 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
What the internet's for.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
EU-MERCOSUR will now move forward. A question for those governments that are sceptical: in light of Trump, do you not think the EU has to diversify? ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission proposes Mercosur and Mexico agreements for adoption
The European Commission has put forward its proposals to the Council for the signature and conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement (MGA...
ec.europa.eu
September 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM
EU-MERCOSUR will now move forward. A question for those governments that are sceptical: in light of Trump, do you not think the EU has to diversify? ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Whatever tourists shopping at airports might think, Toblerone chocolate is no longer Swiss.
But the Toblerone Trail certainly is 🇨🇭. It was built to stop invading tanks
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-od...
But the Toblerone Trail certainly is 🇨🇭. It was built to stop invading tanks
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-od...
The Toblerone Trail: a unique walk through Swiss history and nature
The 18km trail is a reminder of a key part of Switzerland’s war-time heritage. It’s also just a wonderful hike.
www.swissinfo.ch
August 18, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Whatever tourists shopping at airports might think, Toblerone chocolate is no longer Swiss.
But the Toblerone Trail certainly is 🇨🇭. It was built to stop invading tanks
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-od...
But the Toblerone Trail certainly is 🇨🇭. It was built to stop invading tanks
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-od...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
A lot of sense in the thread⬇️.
Even those who feel the need to acquiesce should talk to others about alternatives. Here's another perspective. The onus is on politicians getting together on what can be done now, & what might be after the storm has passed. tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/r...
Even those who feel the need to acquiesce should talk to others about alternatives. Here's another perspective. The onus is on politicians getting together on what can be done now, & what might be after the storm has passed. tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/r...
August 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A lot of sense in the thread⬇️.
Even those who feel the need to acquiesce should talk to others about alternatives. Here's another perspective. The onus is on politicians getting together on what can be done now, & what might be after the storm has passed. tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/r...
Even those who feel the need to acquiesce should talk to others about alternatives. Here's another perspective. The onus is on politicians getting together on what can be done now, & what might be after the storm has passed. tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/r...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
🚨"Ostentatious humiliation may bring Europe some breathing space in the short term. But that will be worthless unless we effectively and jointly reduce dependency on the US."
Great op-ed by @nvondarza.bsky.social on the implications of the EU-US trade deal.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Great op-ed by @nvondarza.bsky.social on the implications of the EU-US trade deal.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Europe's humiliation is a comms strategy – and that's the problem - Euractiv
Ostentatious humiliation may bring Europe some breathing space in the short term. But that will be worthles unless we effectively and jointly reduce dependency on the US.
www.euractiv.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:12 AM
🚨"Ostentatious humiliation may bring Europe some breathing space in the short term. But that will be worthless unless we effectively and jointly reduce dependency on the US."
Great op-ed by @nvondarza.bsky.social on the implications of the EU-US trade deal.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Great op-ed by @nvondarza.bsky.social on the implications of the EU-US trade deal.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
1/ - Trade Policy in 2025 -
Step 1. Donald Trump invents threatened new tariff rates on your country based on some combination of the trade balance, vibes, personal grievance, vibes, how much he likes you, vibes, or a Peter Navarro formula so stupid it made Lesotho enemy #1.
Also vibes.
Step 1. Donald Trump invents threatened new tariff rates on your country based on some combination of the trade balance, vibes, personal grievance, vibes, how much he likes you, vibes, or a Peter Navarro formula so stupid it made Lesotho enemy #1.
Also vibes.
August 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
1/ - Trade Policy in 2025 -
Step 1. Donald Trump invents threatened new tariff rates on your country based on some combination of the trade balance, vibes, personal grievance, vibes, how much he likes you, vibes, or a Peter Navarro formula so stupid it made Lesotho enemy #1.
Also vibes.
Step 1. Donald Trump invents threatened new tariff rates on your country based on some combination of the trade balance, vibes, personal grievance, vibes, how much he likes you, vibes, or a Peter Navarro formula so stupid it made Lesotho enemy #1.
Also vibes.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv89... Rediscovered one of my favourite live song versions this morning - The Cranberries with a live orchestra in the pouring rain in Warsaw
Dolores O'Riordan & Sinfonia Varsovia - Zombie (orch. & cond. Adam Sztaba)
YouTube video by Adam Sztaba
www.youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv89... Rediscovered one of my favourite live song versions this morning - The Cranberries with a live orchestra in the pouring rain in Warsaw
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
This is the *only* way to negotiate with Russia.
June 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is the *only* way to negotiate with Russia.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Giant Brain Man wants to jail lawyers he disagrees with.
This one's a bit personal - I don't practice law, but I'm on the list of lawyers Dom disagrees with - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/07/i-ne...
Hope I get some visitors in jail!
This one's a bit personal - I don't practice law, but I'm on the list of lawyers Dom disagrees with - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/07/i-ne...
Hope I get some visitors in jail!
June 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Giant Brain Man wants to jail lawyers he disagrees with.
This one's a bit personal - I don't practice law, but I'm on the list of lawyers Dom disagrees with - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/07/i-ne...
Hope I get some visitors in jail!
This one's a bit personal - I don't practice law, but I'm on the list of lawyers Dom disagrees with - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/07/i-ne...
Hope I get some visitors in jail!
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
If you have school-age children, push them towards studying French and Negotiation at university. Job for life.
Formally now time to welcome the UK to a Swiss-style relationship of permanent negotiation and multiple deals with the EU.
My initial impressions - probably more balanced than I was expecting with UK clearly prioritising Home Office issues. But less detail - talks on individual issues will be really difficult. There will need to be a strong political layer to maintain progress.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05...
May 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
If you have school-age children, push them towards studying French and Negotiation at university. Job for life.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Fun fact: the environmental FOI regulations which scuttled Dom's desire for secrecy are an implementation of EU law, still part of the law of the UK post Brexit - www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/33...
April 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Fun fact: the environmental FOI regulations which scuttled Dom's desire for secrecy are an implementation of EU law, still part of the law of the UK post Brexit - www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/33...
The American counter-revolution is being led by Dow Jones, S
April 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The American counter-revolution is being led by Dow Jones, S
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
And as the great Doug Irwin never ceases to point out, the main reason Hamilton used tariffs wasn’t for industrial policy protectionism but because the new republic didn’t have the capacity to raise tax any other way.
April 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
And as the great Doug Irwin never ceases to point out, the main reason Hamilton used tariffs wasn’t for industrial policy protectionism but because the new republic didn’t have the capacity to raise tax any other way.
Timely explainer
LONG READ
From David Ricardo to Alexander Hamilton to David Autor to the “sum of all cheating” to the equation that tariffs penguins, to loaded guns & game theory.
Another BBC InDepth trying to explain what’s on earth is going on and where it’s going….
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From David Ricardo to Alexander Hamilton to David Autor to the “sum of all cheating” to the equation that tariffs penguins, to loaded guns & game theory.
Another BBC InDepth trying to explain what’s on earth is going on and where it’s going….
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump has turned his back on the foundation of US economic might
What made the US step back from the system that it profited handsomely from for decades?
www.bbc.co.uk
April 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Timely explainer
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Real-life Passport To Pimlico action here.
America is splitting. California Governor Gavin Newsom has just announced a plan that urges for exemptions of California-made products from tariffs.
His administration is working with trading partners to find ways for California to remain a "steady, reliable partner for generations to come".
His administration is working with trading partners to find ways for California to remain a "steady, reliable partner for generations to come".
April 5, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Real-life Passport To Pimlico action here.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
April 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Good points in this 🧵⬇️
But a the UK govt's big mistake is to focus on the UK going alone vis à vis the US. The message that is needed is about the *global* impact and the need to work multilaterally.
Compare Starmer with the Singapore PM youtu.be/XrX7lIcZrbk?...
But a the UK govt's big mistake is to focus on the UK going alone vis à vis the US. The message that is needed is about the *global* impact and the need to work multilaterally.
Compare Starmer with the Singapore PM youtu.be/XrX7lIcZrbk?...
April 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Good points in this 🧵⬇️
But a the UK govt's big mistake is to focus on the UK going alone vis à vis the US. The message that is needed is about the *global* impact and the need to work multilaterally.
Compare Starmer with the Singapore PM youtu.be/XrX7lIcZrbk?...
But a the UK govt's big mistake is to focus on the UK going alone vis à vis the US. The message that is needed is about the *global* impact and the need to work multilaterally.
Compare Starmer with the Singapore PM youtu.be/XrX7lIcZrbk?...
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
My Trade Secrets today.
- No coordinated international response to Trump's tariffs.
- Mar-a-Lago Accord shown as the nonsense it always was.
- "Cheshire Cat" US steel and auto unions protecting their industries out of existence.
- Trump *really* doesn't like the WTO.
First 300 clicks free.
- No coordinated international response to Trump's tariffs.
- Mar-a-Lago Accord shown as the nonsense it always was.
- "Cheshire Cat" US steel and auto unions protecting their industries out of existence.
- Trump *really* doesn't like the WTO.
First 300 clicks free.
World braces itself as US tariff ‘liberation day’ draws near
[FREE TO READ] No one knows what Trump will do — and at this moment that includes the president himself
enterprise-sharing.ft.com
March 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
My Trade Secrets today.
- No coordinated international response to Trump's tariffs.
- Mar-a-Lago Accord shown as the nonsense it always was.
- "Cheshire Cat" US steel and auto unions protecting their industries out of existence.
- Trump *really* doesn't like the WTO.
First 300 clicks free.
- No coordinated international response to Trump's tariffs.
- Mar-a-Lago Accord shown as the nonsense it always was.
- "Cheshire Cat" US steel and auto unions protecting their industries out of existence.
- Trump *really* doesn't like the WTO.
First 300 clicks free.
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
My Trade Secrets today. Donald Trump’s obsession with using tariffs to coerce trading partners is worse than a crime - it’s a mistake. It’s unlikely to work and it will cut the US off further from the world trading system and make it weaker.
on.ft.com/4fZPIKX
on.ft.com/4fZPIKX
Tariff Man’s superpowers are weaker than he thinks
[FREE TO READ] Donald Trump’s obsession with import taxes belies their limited effects
on.ft.com
December 5, 2024 at 9:08 AM
My Trade Secrets today. Donald Trump’s obsession with using tariffs to coerce trading partners is worse than a crime - it’s a mistake. It’s unlikely to work and it will cut the US off further from the world trading system and make it weaker.
on.ft.com/4fZPIKX
on.ft.com/4fZPIKX
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
Right. Celebrations over. Into dismal January, reality and a deep dive.
WTO delegations have 13 days to digest the latest Fisheries Subsidies draft⬇️ circulated on Dec 21.
Then 4 weeks to settle everything. Then to the Ministerial Conference (aka MC13).
Summary at the top, explanation, texts
1/3
WTO delegations have 13 days to digest the latest Fisheries Subsidies draft⬇️ circulated on Dec 21.
Then 4 weeks to settle everything. Then to the Ministerial Conference (aka MC13).
Summary at the top, explanation, texts
1/3
Chair issues new draft before final fisheries subsidies month
Agreement by February 29 depends on four weeks of intensive talks. Can members settle their many differences?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
January 2, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Right. Celebrations over. Into dismal January, reality and a deep dive.
WTO delegations have 13 days to digest the latest Fisheries Subsidies draft⬇️ circulated on Dec 21.
Then 4 weeks to settle everything. Then to the Ministerial Conference (aka MC13).
Summary at the top, explanation, texts
1/3
WTO delegations have 13 days to digest the latest Fisheries Subsidies draft⬇️ circulated on Dec 21.
Then 4 weeks to settle everything. Then to the Ministerial Conference (aka MC13).
Summary at the top, explanation, texts
1/3
Reposted by Breffni Carpenter
We knew this was coming. Now confirmed. Since yesterday, Switzerland no longer charges import duties on industrial goods of any origin.
Expected annual gain of CHF860 million ($1 billion) from lower purchasing and admin costs for firms, plus productivity gains
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerl...
Expected annual gain of CHF860 million ($1 billion) from lower purchasing and admin costs for firms, plus productivity gains
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerl...
Switzerland abolishes tariffs on industrial product imports
Switzerland has scrapped import duties on industrial products in a bid to lower costs for consumers and manufacturers.
www.swissinfo.ch
January 2, 2024 at 3:39 PM
We knew this was coming. Now confirmed. Since yesterday, Switzerland no longer charges import duties on industrial goods of any origin.
Expected annual gain of CHF860 million ($1 billion) from lower purchasing and admin costs for firms, plus productivity gains
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerl...
Expected annual gain of CHF860 million ($1 billion) from lower purchasing and admin costs for firms, plus productivity gains
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerl...