Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Luise Quaritsch @luisequaritsch.bsky.social · 9h

This Thursday, the European Parliament’s @imco.europarl.europa.eu will vote on the ‘transparency of third-country lobbying’ directive. The directive is intended to counter foreign interference by introducing mandatory national transparency registers for third-country lobbying. 1/

1 4 7

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Luise Quaritsch @luisequaritsch.bsky.social · 4d

Today, the EU’s Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising enters into force. From now on, political ads – notably both online and offline – will have to carry a transparency label with key information about why people are seeing the ad, who paid for it and how much. 1/

3 23 51

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · 8d

Here we go again...

4

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · 13d

Was wondering what COM would use to replace lapsing steel safeguards.

In theory, quotas can be WTO-legal, but only if non-discriminatory (historic import shares + consultations), also continuity of safeguards is pretty obvious: very open to be challenged.. what d'y'all think?

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 13d

Commission will table a TRQ system to replace its steel safeguard on Tuesday. Industry backs the move and wants an out-of-quota 50% tariff. Also - it wants it all done and dusted by the end of the year! More here by me for @borderlex.net borderlex.net/2025/10/01/e...

EU to replace steel safeguard with country-specific quotas - Borderlex

The European Commission will propose replacing the bloc's steel safeguard with tariff rate quotas for each trading partner on Tuesday (7 October).

borderlex.net

1 1 6

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Thu Nguyen @onethuthree.bsky.social · 20d

Driven by fear of the far right, the EU is losing its compass, whether on migration, climate or Gaza. By undermining its own principles, Europe weakens its global position and risks losing not just dignity but political agency.

With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen

European leaders’ weakness is undermining the democratic principles on which the EU was built, say Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen from the Jacques Delors Centre

www.theguardian.com

3 56 140

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Jannik Jansen @jannikjansen.bsky.social · 20d

Europe cannot afford to treat its values as expendable. Each concession to the far right corrodes democracy at home and erodes its credibility abroad. By reducing principles to luxuries, Europe risks losing not just its dignity but political agency.

New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 20d

If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen

European leaders’ weakness is undermining the democratic principles on which the EU was built, say Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen from the Jacques Delors Centre

www.theguardian.com

9 33

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 28d

EU and Indonesia agree trade deal on.ft.com/4pFqsPE

EU and Indonesia agree trade deal

Brussels and Jakarta to sign pact next week as they seek to reduce reliance on US

on.ft.com

3 11 42

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Benjamin Braun @benbraun.bsky.social · 28d

Me when my paper's policy implications still haven't been implemented one year into into the peer review process.

4 5 51

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Martin Sandbu @martinsandbu.ft.com · Sep 10

A few quick impressions from @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's State of the Union address: ec.europa.eu/commission/p... /

2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen

President von der Leyen delivered the first State of the Union Address of the 2024-2029 Commission. \n

ec.europa.eu

1 10 25

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 5

After a lil back-and-forth, COM decides to enforce legislation.

Google has 60 days to set out plan to change activities COMP has deemed uncompetitive

www.euractiv.com/section/tech...

EU fines Google €2.95 billion - Euractiv

The US tech giant was fined for violating EU competition rules in the advertising technology market

www.euractiv.com

2 6

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Holger Hestermeyer @hhesterm.bsky.social · Sep 4

On the WTO compatibility of the EU-US deal, some clear statements from @sabineweyand.bsky.social during the INTA hearing:
1) US+EU regard agreement as first step, for EU that means striving for WTO compatibility
2) US was not ready to sing up to a commitment to strive fore WTO compatibility /1

1 8 10

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · Sep 3

Political party discovers that higher tax rates lead to higher tax revenues.

62 320 1.3K

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

6/ If Trump punishes the EU for enforcing its digital rulebook, Brussels must be ready to retaliate.

4

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

5/ A concession today only fuels a new demand tomorrow.

Anti-trust regulation and the DSA/DMA are democratic laws, reflecting how Europeans want their digital space governed. Trading them away means giving up sovereignty.

1 2 5

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

4/ Some in Brussels may hope that softening enforcement buys goodwill: for Ukraine, or for the fragile trade “deal”, but that’s wishful thinking.

1 3

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

3/ For Trump, negotiations are never settled. Last week and just days after details of the transatlantic trade arrangement were published, he railed against “digital taxes, services legislation, and market regulations” and vowed tariffs and sanctions - targeting the DSA/DMA in anything but name.

1 4

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

2/ However, as @luisequaritsch.bsky.social‬ & I outline in a short piece, trading digital regulation for trade concessions sets a dangerous precedent with uncertain gains.
www.delorscentre.eu/en/publicat...

Why the DSA is not up for negotiation

Just days after unveiling details of the transatlantic trade arrangement, Donald Trump threatened retaliatory tariffs over the EU’s digital laws. Brussels must now draw a line.

www.delorscentre.eu

1 1 3

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

1/ It’s understandable that DG Trade is determined to secure tariff cuts on car parts: Germany’s top priority, and a key reason we now have this trade arrangement.

1 1

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Sep 3

🧵
Yesterday, the EU postponed a major antitrust fine against Google in its adtech case - reportedly after Šefčovič lobbied to avoid clashing with the fragile US trade deal and the promised cut in car tariffs.

1 8 17

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Luise Quaritsch @luisequaritsch.bsky.social · Aug 26

The US government is once again ramping up its rhetoric on the EU’s Digital Services Act. It is now reportedly considering imposing sanctions on Commission staff responsible for implementing the DSA. This would be an unprecedented move. 🧵⬇️

www.ft.com/content/ff8d...

Donald Trump threatens retaliation over taxes that ‘discriminate’ against US tech

President claims other countries’ digital levies hurt American companies while ignoring China

www.ft.com

4 8 26

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Aug 26

While it's getting a little repetitive it also makes my work easier: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion and there is no certainty for agreed upon "deals".

John Springford @johnspringford.bsky.social · Aug 26

That was quick
www.ft.com/content/ff8d...

6 10

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Jacques Delors Centre @delorsberlin.bsky.social · Aug 7

"'The number is not incredibly unrealistic but the EU’s ability to credibly commit to it is limited,' @aleichthammer.bsky.social told #CNBC. As for Trump’s suggestion of potentially higher tariffs if the investment does not materialize? “That’s exactly the risk." 👉 www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/t...

Trump is hailing the EU's $600 billion investment pledge — but it might never happen

The European Union has said that the investment would come from the private sector.

www.cnbc.com

1 1

Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer

Etienne Höra @etiennehoera.d-64.social · Aug 5

Here we go again. EU just isn't dealing with a good-faith actor on the other side. The lack of interest in anything stable, permanent or predictable doesn't fit into EU's mental model. Ultimately it's about incentives - if there's no negative consequence, US is always going to come back for more.

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Aug 5

This is insane.

Queue the point that I keep on banging on about: tariff negotiations with Trump are not a one-time occasion (and there is no such thing as a deal yet).

His last sentence on pharma being excluded from 15% ceiling will bring some renewed worries to EU (and especially Ireland).

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Aug 5

Trump on his EU trade deal: "The details are $600 billion to invest in anything I want. Anything. I can do anything I want with it."

1 2 8

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Aug 5

This must come as a shocking surprise

www.ft.com/content/fdcf...

Caterpillar warns of $1.5bn tariff hit as trade tensions dent earnings

US industrial bellwether posts lower-than-expected profits as costs rise

www.ft.com

2

Arthur Leichthammer @aleichthammer.bsky.social · Aug 5

Laughed out loud at a joke combining EU trade and multiannual budget policy - I really do hope two weeks of vacation rewire my brain...

Nils Redeker @nilsredeker.bsky.social · Aug 5

I hope the Commission made it clear that the €600 billion figure of course refers to current prices - and that most of it will be mobilised through EIB loans, with a leverage ratio of approximately 1:19.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Aug 5

Trump on his EU trade deal: "The details are $600 billion to invest in anything I want. Anything. I can do anything I want with it."

1 4