Richard Ramsey
@ramseconomics.bsky.social
Belfast-based economist / commentator. Eurosceptic ‘Remainer’ with a keen interest in Geopolitics & Metallica 🤘Former pole vaulter now swimmer. Dog lover and black lab (Fraser) owner. Husband / Dad / Step-dad / Grandad
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
This exchange is revealing, terrifying, and intellectually bankrupt. No world leader would ever want to enter a room to deal with this guy because he's a crank.
KENNEDY: If Vietnam came to you and said, 'You win. We're gonna remove all tariffs and all trade barriers. Would the US please do the same?" Would you accept that deal?
LUTNICK: Absolutely not. That would be the silliest thing we could do
KENNEDY: What's the purpose of reciprocity then?
LUTNICK: Absolutely not. That would be the silliest thing we could do
KENNEDY: What's the purpose of reciprocity then?
June 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
This exchange is revealing, terrifying, and intellectually bankrupt. No world leader would ever want to enter a room to deal with this guy because he's a crank.
Enjoyed the trip down memory lane with Jim Fitzpatrick & Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on this podcast 👇Not so much chewing the fat as chewing the TACO 🌮 #Trump #Tariffs @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Unpacked: Trump's Tariffs, TACO Trade, Big Beautiful Bill, Uncertainty Squared
Podcast Episode · Trading Up · 04/06/2025 · 43m
podcasts.apple.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Enjoyed the trip down memory lane with Jim Fitzpatrick & Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on this podcast 👇Not so much chewing the fat as chewing the TACO 🌮 #Trump #Tariffs @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Ships now pulling into US harbors from China are the first to be subject to the massive tariffs that America is imposing on most Chinese imports. Many of them are half full.
That means, in a matter of weeks, consumers will face higher prices and shortages of certain items.
That means, in a matter of weeks, consumers will face higher prices and shortages of certain items.
The first boats carrying Chinese goods with 145% tariffs are arriving in LA. They’re half-full. Expect shortages soon | CNN Business
American consumers are on the cusp of tough choices because of President Donald Trump’s trade war.
cnn.it
May 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Ships now pulling into US harbors from China are the first to be subject to the massive tariffs that America is imposing on most Chinese imports. Many of them are half full.
That means, in a matter of weeks, consumers will face higher prices and shortages of certain items.
That means, in a matter of weeks, consumers will face higher prices and shortages of certain items.
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
The Constitution explicitly gives the right to set tariffs to Congress. And Congress delegated to the President power to set tariffs in times of national emergency.
So the constitutionality of these tariffs rests on whether they're a response to a national emergency. 🤔
So the constitutionality of these tariffs rests on whether they're a response to a national emergency. 🤔
May 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The Constitution explicitly gives the right to set tariffs to Congress. And Congress delegated to the President power to set tariffs in times of national emergency.
So the constitutionality of these tariffs rests on whether they're a response to a national emergency. 🤔
So the constitutionality of these tariffs rests on whether they're a response to a national emergency. 🤔
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
No hint of compromise in today’s Russian press. On the prospects for peace in Ukraine, one paper declares: “Trump is in a hurry…Russia is in no hurry for a deal.” Another paper says Vladimir Putin’s demands “have barely changed” from the ones he issued last June. #ReadingRussia
Steve's Reading Russia - Russian Press Review (14 April 2025)
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
April 14, 2025 at 6:51 AM
No hint of compromise in today’s Russian press. On the prospects for peace in Ukraine, one paper declares: “Trump is in a hurry…Russia is in no hurry for a deal.” Another paper says Vladimir Putin’s demands “have barely changed” from the ones he issued last June. #ReadingRussia
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Delta Airlines earnings call today was apparently pretty clear that transatlantic air travel bookings are taking a nosedive, alongside everything else.
April 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Delta Airlines earnings call today was apparently pretty clear that transatlantic air travel bookings are taking a nosedive, alongside everything else.
Donald Trump waiting for his Wile E. Coyote / Liz Truss moment
April 7, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Donald Trump waiting for his Wile E. Coyote / Liz Truss moment
World Uncertainty Index has more than doubled since Trump won election in November. March’s reading is the third highest of the monthly series.Expect April 2025 to be a new record high in uncertainty.
April 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
World Uncertainty Index has more than doubled since Trump won election in November. March’s reading is the third highest of the monthly series.Expect April 2025 to be a new record high in uncertainty.
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Exclusive: Members of President Donald Trump’s National Security Council, including White House national security adviser Michael Waltz, have conducted government business over personal Gmail accounts.
Widespread layoffs, purge of leadership underway at U.S. health agencies
The move comes after Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement of a sweeping reduction of the Department of Health and Human Services.
wapo.st
April 1, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Exclusive: Members of President Donald Trump’s National Security Council, including White House national security adviser Michael Waltz, have conducted government business over personal Gmail accounts.
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
This week’s edition of MFN is about why a 25% tariff is not always in fact a 25% tariff.
Also very heavy on the #dataviz
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/car-tariffs
Also very heavy on the #dataviz
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/car-tariffs
Car Tariffs
There's a really good joke at the end
mostfavourednation.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This week’s edition of MFN is about why a 25% tariff is not always in fact a 25% tariff.
Also very heavy on the #dataviz
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/car-tariffs
Also very heavy on the #dataviz
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/car-tariffs
World Uncertainty Index doubled between November 2024 and February 2025. February’s reading is its highest since March 2020 when the pandemic 😷 came to the fore. Data for March expected to surge to a series high following the post-Zelensky & Trump Oval Office encounter
March 7, 2025 at 10:43 AM
World Uncertainty Index doubled between November 2024 and February 2025. February’s reading is its highest since March 2020 when the pandemic 😷 came to the fore. Data for March expected to surge to a series high following the post-Zelensky & Trump Oval Office encounter
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Patrick Blower @blowercartoons on #Putin #Trump #RussiaUkraineWar #PeacePlan @Telegraph – political cartoon gallery in London original-political-cartoon.com
February 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Patrick Blower @blowercartoons on #Putin #Trump #RussiaUkraineWar #PeacePlan @Telegraph – political cartoon gallery in London original-political-cartoon.com
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Latest NI house price index from LPS/Nisra: Average home sold for £183,259 in Q4 2024: +£15k in a year... +£50k in 5 years.
Average new build cost £241,683 in Q4 2024: +£23k y-y and +£75k v Q4 2019.
6/11 districts saw prices increase by 10-11% last year.
www.irishnews.com/news/busines...
Average new build cost £241,683 in Q4 2024: +£23k y-y and +£75k v Q4 2019.
6/11 districts saw prices increase by 10-11% last year.
www.irishnews.com/news/busines...
Average house price in Northern Ireland jumps by £50k in five years, while new builds surge by £75k
Double-digit price inflation recorded in four districts
www.irishnews.com
February 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Latest NI house price index from LPS/Nisra: Average home sold for £183,259 in Q4 2024: +£15k in a year... +£50k in 5 years.
Average new build cost £241,683 in Q4 2024: +£23k y-y and +£75k v Q4 2019.
6/11 districts saw prices increase by 10-11% last year.
www.irishnews.com/news/busines...
Average new build cost £241,683 in Q4 2024: +£23k y-y and +£75k v Q4 2019.
6/11 districts saw prices increase by 10-11% last year.
www.irishnews.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
This was first discussed back in Nov, after Trump won the US election, for Ukraine. Then it waned. Now it's making a comeback. Unlikely to be the EU's first line of fiscal attack
www.ft.com/content/f28b...
www.ft.com/content/f28b...
EU considers tapping €93bn in unspent Covid recovery funds for defence
Brussels explores redirecting post-pandemic financing as part of options to boost investments in military
www.ft.com
February 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
This was first discussed back in Nov, after Trump won the US election, for Ukraine. Then it waned. Now it's making a comeback. Unlikely to be the EU's first line of fiscal attack
www.ft.com/content/f28b...
www.ft.com/content/f28b...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
he's an ignorant thug but to most voters this wouldn't obviously be false.
"This is in violation of a presidential executive order. It needs to stop" -- Elon Musk, on Hannity's show, makes clear he has no idea how the American government works by asserting that Trump can use executive orders to unilaterally impound funds appropriated by Congress
February 19, 2025 at 2:09 AM
he's an ignorant thug but to most voters this wouldn't obviously be false.
Northern Ireland New Dwellings prices hit a *record* high in Q4 2024. Up 10.5% y/y and marginally above Q3 2007 peak. It’s been a while since ‘record highs’ were a thing in Northern Ireland. Just don’t mention inflation!!
www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
www.finance-ni.gov.uk
February 19, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Northern Ireland New Dwellings prices hit a *record* high in Q4 2024. Up 10.5% y/y and marginally above Q3 2007 peak. It’s been a while since ‘record highs’ were a thing in Northern Ireland. Just don’t mention inflation!!
www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
“This country has the lowest life expectancy of any rich country, which was not true for most of the 20th century. The U.S. has the highest murder rate of any rich country and the world’s highest rate of fatal drug overdoses.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/b...
The U.S. Economy Is Racing Ahead. Almost Everything Else Is Falling Behind.
The gap between Americans’ prosperity and quality of life has grown since the 1990s.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“This country has the lowest life expectancy of any rich country, which was not true for most of the 20th century. The U.S. has the highest murder rate of any rich country and the world’s highest rate of fatal drug overdoses.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/b...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
BREAKING: Chinese e-commerce stocks drop after the US Postal Service suspends inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong.
Follow our live blog for the latest news and analysis. ⤵️
Follow our live blog for the latest news and analysis. ⤵️
Chinese E-Commerce Stocks Drop as US Post Blocks Parcels from China, HK
China Stock Markets Live: Traders Watch for Reactions to Tariffs, DeepSeek
www.bloomberg.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:14 AM
BREAKING: Chinese e-commerce stocks drop after the US Postal Service suspends inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong.
Follow our live blog for the latest news and analysis. ⤵️
Follow our live blog for the latest news and analysis. ⤵️
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
I have just posted my regular update on global conflict and confrontation. This week: Trump fumbles around for peace, Ukraine's Russia strikes gain momentum, and the NorKs are taken off the frontline. And of course, I finish with my top five reads of the week. mickryan.substack.com/p/the-big-fi...
The Big Five - 2 February edition
My regular update on global conflict and confrontation. This week: Trump fumbles around for peace, Ukraine's Russia strikes gain momentum, and the NorKs are taken off the frontline.
mickryan.substack.com
February 2, 2025 at 6:56 AM
I have just posted my regular update on global conflict and confrontation. This week: Trump fumbles around for peace, Ukraine's Russia strikes gain momentum, and the NorKs are taken off the frontline. And of course, I finish with my top five reads of the week. mickryan.substack.com/p/the-big-fi...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
I can be as critical as anyone of the government's occasionally muddled message on growth but Look! At! This! Chart!! Anything they've done pales next to this GIGANTIC UNFORCED ERROR COMMITTED IN 2016!
(fagpacket maths follows)
on.ft.com/4hzyvbJ
(fagpacket maths follows)
on.ft.com/4hzyvbJ
January 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
I can be as critical as anyone of the government's occasionally muddled message on growth but Look! At! This! Chart!! Anything they've done pales next to this GIGANTIC UNFORCED ERROR COMMITTED IN 2016!
(fagpacket maths follows)
on.ft.com/4hzyvbJ
(fagpacket maths follows)
on.ft.com/4hzyvbJ
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
electric/hybrid vehicles now account for more than half of passenger vehicle sales in china
January 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
electric/hybrid vehicles now account for more than half of passenger vehicle sales in china
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
Stephanie Kelton has an interesting blog post today on what happened when she asked DeepSeek to estimate the effects of a 25% tariff on Canada’s GDP. stephaniekelton.substack.com/p/the-impact...
The Impact of 25% Tariffs on Canadian GDP
The Bank of Canada vs Deepseek
stephaniekelton.substack.com
January 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Stephanie Kelton has an interesting blog post today on what happened when she asked DeepSeek to estimate the effects of a 25% tariff on Canada’s GDP. stephaniekelton.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
financial times: president trump insisting he’s serious about greenland in phone call with denmark prime minister
“five current and former senior european officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.”
“five current and former senior european officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.”
January 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
financial times: president trump insisting he’s serious about greenland in phone call with denmark prime minister
“five current and former senior european officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.”
“five current and former senior european officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.”
Reposted by Richard Ramsey
This will probably have a whole range of consequences (mostly negative) for #Ukraine and many other nations that those behind this order will have underestimated.
www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
State Department issues immediate, widespread pause on foreign aid
The “stop-work orders” appear to apply to US aid for all countries except Israel and Egypt.
www.politico.com
January 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
This will probably have a whole range of consequences (mostly negative) for #Ukraine and many other nations that those behind this order will have underestimated.
www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
www.politico.com/news/2025/01...