Ed Baker
@edbaker3.bsky.social
Data Scientist | Economics | Behavioural | Trade and Development | Politics. Views not my own.
mastodon: @edbaker3@econtwitter.net
mastodon: @edbaker3@econtwitter.net
Reposted by Ed Baker
US tariff rates have already changed four times in November alone – decreasing for China, Brazil and many agricultural products, while increasing for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Follow the real-time updates on UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Tariff Dashboard.
▶️ https://ow.ly/ryoj50XwLps
Follow the real-time updates on UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Tariff Dashboard.
▶️ https://ow.ly/ryoj50XwLps
November 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
US tariff rates have already changed four times in November alone – decreasing for China, Brazil and many agricultural products, while increasing for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Follow the real-time updates on UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Tariff Dashboard.
▶️ https://ow.ly/ryoj50XwLps
Follow the real-time updates on UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Tariff Dashboard.
▶️ https://ow.ly/ryoj50XwLps
Mostly going under the radar are the huge tariff increases coming for some African countries if AGOA is not renewed.
When trade deals expire: What’s at stake for Africa and the US?
Market access to the United States could further deteriorate for many African countries if the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is not renewed before its expiration on 30 September 2025.
Full data story: ▶️ ow.ly/Hq0w50X3E9a
Market access to the United States could further deteriorate for many African countries if the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is not renewed before its expiration on 30 September 2025.
Full data story: ▶️ ow.ly/Hq0w50X3E9a
September 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Mostly going under the radar are the huge tariff increases coming for some African countries if AGOA is not renewed.
Extreme views are over-represented on social media. Is it alone responsible for the rise in populism?
September 5, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Extreme views are over-represented on social media. Is it alone responsible for the rise in populism?
𝟑.𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people now live in countries where interest payments exceed public healthcare budgets.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
June 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
𝟑.𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people now live in countries where interest payments exceed public healthcare budgets.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
The UK death spiral: populism -> brexit -> economic malaise -> populism.
May 2, 2025 at 5:37 AM
The UK death spiral: populism -> brexit -> economic malaise -> populism.
Tariff taxes on finished products and exemptions for raw materials risks pushing developing countries away from industry and towards commodity dependence.
Many developing countries face “tariff escalation” – when processed or finished goods are taxed more than the raw materials used to make them.
This discourages industrial growth in these economies, limiting opportunities for value addition, job creation & economic diversification. ow.ly/3NyT50Vz6wq
This discourages industrial growth in these economies, limiting opportunities for value addition, job creation & economic diversification. ow.ly/3NyT50Vz6wq
April 12, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Tariff taxes on finished products and exemptions for raw materials risks pushing developing countries away from industry and towards commodity dependence.
Average US Tariff Increase by Product Group
April 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Average US Tariff Increase by Product Group
- In 2023 Americans spent about $9000 per person on goods from abroad.
- They paid about $250 on tariff tax.
- If they want to buy the same now they'd have to pay $2650.
- If they keep their spending the same they will now buy 3/4 of what they bought before.
- They paid about $250 on tariff tax.
- If they want to buy the same now they'd have to pay $2650.
- If they keep their spending the same they will now buy 3/4 of what they bought before.
April 9, 2025 at 1:17 PM
- In 2023 Americans spent about $9000 per person on goods from abroad.
- They paid about $250 on tariff tax.
- If they want to buy the same now they'd have to pay $2650.
- If they keep their spending the same they will now buy 3/4 of what they bought before.
- They paid about $250 on tariff tax.
- If they want to buy the same now they'd have to pay $2650.
- If they keep their spending the same they will now buy 3/4 of what they bought before.
The US imposes 104% tariff rates on China, or average 83% with exemptions. If the US wanted to import the same as it did in 2023, they will now have to pay an extra $2500 extra in tax per person. Below graph are the types of products they import:
April 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The US imposes 104% tariff rates on China, or average 83% with exemptions. If the US wanted to import the same as it did in 2023, they will now have to pay an extra $2500 extra in tax per person. Below graph are the types of products they import:
Africa and Least Developed Countries contribute virtually nothing to the US trade deficit in Goods - the US actually has a trade surplus with the LDCs in Africa.
April 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Africa and Least Developed Countries contribute virtually nothing to the US trade deficit in Goods - the US actually has a trade surplus with the LDCs in Africa.
Reposted by Ed Baker
@hudde.bsky.social und ich haben das AfD-Ergebnis in den 299 Bundestagswahlkreisen & den rund 4400 Gemeindeverbänden ausgewertet. Unsere Ergebnisse vom Montag und zahlreiche neue gibt es nun als Blogbeitrag für @emppolitikwiss.bsky.social. Thread 🧵👇.
www.politik-wissenschaft.org/2025/02/28/a...
www.politik-wissenschaft.org/2025/02/28/a...
February 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
@hudde.bsky.social und ich haben das AfD-Ergebnis in den 299 Bundestagswahlkreisen & den rund 4400 Gemeindeverbänden ausgewertet. Unsere Ergebnisse vom Montag und zahlreiche neue gibt es nun als Blogbeitrag für @emppolitikwiss.bsky.social. Thread 🧵👇.
www.politik-wissenschaft.org/2025/02/28/a...
www.politik-wissenschaft.org/2025/02/28/a...
Reposted by Ed Baker
Male-female friendships are a under-rated driver of gender equality.
When women can fraternise freely, they can share ideas, gain respect, & build empathy with men who care about their wants & welfare.
Countries with high male-female friendships score better on equality 👇
When women can fraternise freely, they can share ideas, gain respect, & build empathy with men who care about their wants & welfare.
Countries with high male-female friendships score better on equality 👇
February 15, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Male-female friendships are a under-rated driver of gender equality.
When women can fraternise freely, they can share ideas, gain respect, & build empathy with men who care about their wants & welfare.
Countries with high male-female friendships score better on equality 👇
When women can fraternise freely, they can share ideas, gain respect, & build empathy with men who care about their wants & welfare.
Countries with high male-female friendships score better on equality 👇
Reposted by Ed Baker
Plausible theory of Musk that I hadn't considered thus far.
I think the problems it has are: why now? What about the damage the obsession with the UK [and Germany and US] is doing to X's user base and thus ad revenue, and to the Tesla brand [now toxic to liberals]?
I think the problems it has are: why now? What about the damage the obsession with the UK [and Germany and US] is doing to X's user base and thus ad revenue, and to the Tesla brand [now toxic to liberals]?
... which is of course money. Musk drives traffic and therefore ad revenue/subs.
BBC News doesn't have ads and subscriptions (£3.7bn a year in license fees) are basically compulsory. So why is it playing Musk's attention game?
Explored in more detail here: www.newstatesman.com/politics/bus...
BBC News doesn't have ads and subscriptions (£3.7bn a year in license fees) are basically compulsory. So why is it playing Musk's attention game?
Explored in more detail here: www.newstatesman.com/politics/bus...
Elon Musk’s secret weapon
BBC News is the key to the X owner’s fixation with British politics.
www.newstatesman.com
January 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Plausible theory of Musk that I hadn't considered thus far.
I think the problems it has are: why now? What about the damage the obsession with the UK [and Germany and US] is doing to X's user base and thus ad revenue, and to the Tesla brand [now toxic to liberals]?
I think the problems it has are: why now? What about the damage the obsession with the UK [and Germany and US] is doing to X's user base and thus ad revenue, and to the Tesla brand [now toxic to liberals]?
Reposted by Ed Baker
It is hard for public institutions to change gear and communication policies. But consider this: UK and German public institutions that post information on twitter but not on bluesky are providing free benefits and competitive advantages to a platform that aims to put the far right in power.
January 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It is hard for public institutions to change gear and communication policies. But consider this: UK and German public institutions that post information on twitter but not on bluesky are providing free benefits and competitive advantages to a platform that aims to put the far right in power.
Reposted by Ed Baker
The last General Election has seen much talk about Reform UK's popularity in so-called 'left-behind places, characterized by socioeconomic deprivation. Looking at variation in deprivation levels across the UK's constituencies suggests this pattern exists, but only partially. A short thread. 🧵
January 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The last General Election has seen much talk about Reform UK's popularity in so-called 'left-behind places, characterized by socioeconomic deprivation. Looking at variation in deprivation levels across the UK's constituencies suggests this pattern exists, but only partially. A short thread. 🧵
Musk could bypass the law against foreign donations and make Reform the 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 by exploiting a legal loophole.
December 22, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Musk could bypass the law against foreign donations and make Reform the 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 by exploiting a legal loophole.
Reposted by Ed Baker
Can’t stop thinking about how totally crazy this line is from Labour
‘We promised new laws on money in politics in our manifesto but now we’re not going to do it because Nigel Farage could make political cap out of it (while Reform receives tens of millions in actual capital)’
🤯🤯🤯
‘We promised new laws on money in politics in our manifesto but now we’re not going to do it because Nigel Farage could make political cap out of it (while Reform receives tens of millions in actual capital)’
🤯🤯🤯
This mess is *entirely* of Labour’s own making
In opposition they promised to end sleaze and tighten money in politics.
They could have laid out plans for this as soon as they got into office
Instead they prevaricated. And this is the outcome. So depressing
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
In opposition they promised to end sleaze and tighten money in politics.
They could have laid out plans for this as soon as they got into office
Instead they prevaricated. And this is the outcome. So depressing
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Ministers resist calls to block Musk donations to Farage’s Reform UK
Government fears moves to curb any potential cash from the tech titan could backfire and play into Reform UK’s hands
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Can’t stop thinking about how totally crazy this line is from Labour
‘We promised new laws on money in politics in our manifesto but now we’re not going to do it because Nigel Farage could make political cap out of it (while Reform receives tens of millions in actual capital)’
🤯🤯🤯
‘We promised new laws on money in politics in our manifesto but now we’re not going to do it because Nigel Farage could make political cap out of it (while Reform receives tens of millions in actual capital)’
🤯🤯🤯
Lindner shocked to find out his idol support afd. Musk has not rushed to conclusion from afar. That's who he is.
December 21, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Lindner shocked to find out his idol support afd. Musk has not rushed to conclusion from afar. That's who he is.
Reposted by Ed Baker
This image of Bono and Bob Geldof, which has been shared by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, is AI-generated and fake. It was originally shared by a satirical Irish account.
In the midst of a genocide, with thousands of maimed orphaned children going to bed without having eaten for days or water to wash their wounds, Bono and Geldof decided to show their solidarity with the rogue Apartheid state responsible. Each to her/his ethical choices.
December 19, 2024 at 12:51 PM
This image of Bono and Bob Geldof, which has been shared by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, is AI-generated and fake. It was originally shared by a satirical Irish account.
Saladin's son built the entrance gate to the Citadel of Aleppo in ~1213. During the battle of Aleppo in ~2013, the Assad's Syrian army used it as a military base using arrow slits to target rebels.
December 17, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Saladin's son built the entrance gate to the Citadel of Aleppo in ~1213. During the battle of Aleppo in ~2013, the Assad's Syrian army used it as a military base using arrow slits to target rebels.
Reposted by Ed Baker
When immigration falls, expect a big partisan gulf in the priority given to cutting it further, esp as the most sceptical won't notice a fall
Immig top for Cons, off chart for Reform. 7th priority for Labour voters at current near peak levels
Immig top for Cons, off chart for Reform. 7th priority for Labour voters at current near peak levels
December 17, 2024 at 11:28 AM
When immigration falls, expect a big partisan gulf in the priority given to cutting it further, esp as the most sceptical won't notice a fall
Immig top for Cons, off chart for Reform. 7th priority for Labour voters at current near peak levels
Immig top for Cons, off chart for Reform. 7th priority for Labour voters at current near peak levels
Reposted by Ed Baker
This is a very interesting figure. The horizontal axis shows the most common temperature, and the vertical axis shows the temperature that minimizes mortality.
It shows an incredible capacity for adaptation.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It shows an incredible capacity for adaptation.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 3, 2024 at 7:33 PM
This is a very interesting figure. The horizontal axis shows the most common temperature, and the vertical axis shows the temperature that minimizes mortality.
It shows an incredible capacity for adaptation.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It shows an incredible capacity for adaptation.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...