Peter Ungphakorn
@coppetainpu.bsky.social
In 🇨🇭, from all over. Mainly trade. Journalist. WTO Secretariat 1996-2015. Usual disclaimers. Member: http://fmg-geneva.org.
Web: https://tradebetablog.wordpress.com/ (follow for alerts)
Web: https://tradebetablog.wordpress.com/ (follow for alerts)
Pinned
Daniel Hope & Simon Mulligan - Spiegel im Spiegel
YouTube video by bnk57
youtu.be
Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel
Daniel Hope, Simon Mulligan.
It's in F major in 6/4 time, with the piano playing rising crotchet triads and the violin playing slow scales, alternately rising and falling, of increasing length, which all end on the note A.
youtu.be/Xm74Lejt01I?...
Daniel Hope, Simon Mulligan.
It's in F major in 6/4 time, with the piano playing rising crotchet triads and the violin playing slow scales, alternately rising and falling, of increasing length, which all end on the note A.
youtu.be/Xm74Lejt01I?...
A bit niche, but important in trade. The 73 members who struck a deal on e-commerce continue to push for a WTO-wide consensus to make it an official “plurilateral” WTO agreement = applying only to some members.
They are now 73 because the Philippines has joined them.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
They are now 73 because the Philippines has joined them.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
docs.wto.org
December 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A bit niche, but important in trade. The 73 members who struck a deal on e-commerce continue to push for a WTO-wide consensus to make it an official “plurilateral” WTO agreement = applying only to some members.
They are now 73 because the Philippines has joined them.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
They are now 73 because the Philippines has joined them.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
A customs union is only for goods. What about services?
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Fortunately David Lammy you have the chance to vote for a customs union by backing our bill next week.
See you in the Aye lobby?
See you in the Aye lobby?
December 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A customs union is only for goods. What about services?
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
A paper from Indonesia seems to have made agreement in the current WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations even more difficult to reach. It says the latest draft would violate sovereignty principles in the UN Law of the Sea. This is going to be controversial
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/i...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/i...
Indonesia accuses WTO fish subsidies draft of violating Law of the Sea
It criticises disclosing information, countries scrutinising each other, and committee oversight. But they are standard in the WTO.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
A paper from Indonesia seems to have made agreement in the current WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations even more difficult to reach. It says the latest draft would violate sovereignty principles in the UN Law of the Sea. This is going to be controversial
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/i...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/i...
11 WTO members have accepted the inevitable and drafted a decision to give up the idea of concluding fisheries subsidies talks at the next Ministerial Conference in Youndé in March.
All but one of the 11 are island states, and all but two of those are Pacific island states — not necessarily small
All but one of the 11 are island states, and all but two of those are Pacific island states — not necessarily small
11 countries propose can-kicking WTO fish subsidies decision beyond March
The draft would concede failure to agree by the biennial Ministerial Conference in March and propose concluding the talks at the one after
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
11 WTO members have accepted the inevitable and drafted a decision to give up the idea of concluding fisheries subsidies talks at the next Ministerial Conference in Youndé in March.
All but one of the 11 are island states, and all but two of those are Pacific island states — not necessarily small
All but one of the 11 are island states, and all but two of those are Pacific island states — not necessarily small
This is glorious.
I've noticed a behaviour change myself. Nowadays, when the search engine produces an AI explanation at the top of its results, I immediately scroll further, looking for the bit from Wikipedia, which I assume is more trustworthy.
I've noticed a behaviour change myself. Nowadays, when the search engine produces an AI explanation at the top of its results, I immediately scroll further, looking for the bit from Wikipedia, which I assume is more trustworthy.
December 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is glorious.
I've noticed a behaviour change myself. Nowadays, when the search engine produces an AI explanation at the top of its results, I immediately scroll further, looking for the bit from Wikipedia, which I assume is more trustworthy.
I've noticed a behaviour change myself. Nowadays, when the search engine produces an AI explanation at the top of its results, I immediately scroll further, looking for the bit from Wikipedia, which I assume is more trustworthy.
When your team is not doing well, it hurts. But nothing, NOTHING excuses this.
www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Football abuse: Premier League and WSL stars targeted by death and rape threats
More than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts were sent about managers and players in the Premier League and Women's Super League in a single weekend, a BBC investigation finds.
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:35 AM
When your team is not doing well, it hurts. But nothing, NOTHING excuses this.
www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Not just Chris Mason. We've had round-the-clock reporting and discussion on news and current affairs programmes (eg BBC R4 Today) ad nauseam since Saturday.
December 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Not just Chris Mason. We've had round-the-clock reporting and discussion on news and current affairs programmes (eg BBC R4 Today) ad nauseam since Saturday.
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
Amazing letter in The Times (also an unbelievable play fwiw)
December 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Amazing letter in The Times (also an unbelievable play fwiw)
Swiss euphoria at securing lower US tariffs has given way to a backlash over “oligarch diplomacy” and the role executives played from companies including Rolex and Richemont. More to do; the US-Swiss agreement might not reach the 🇨🇭 parliament until late 2026. (FT)
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-...
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-...
Swiss politicians decry ‘gold bar diplomacy’ in Trump trade deal
Swiss euphoria at securing lower US trade tariffs has given way to a backlash over “oligarch diplomacy” and the role executives played.
www.swissinfo.ch
December 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Swiss euphoria at securing lower US tariffs has given way to a backlash over “oligarch diplomacy” and the role executives played from companies including Rolex and Richemont. More to do; the US-Swiss agreement might not reach the 🇨🇭 parliament until late 2026. (FT)
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-...
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-...
Some of these boys were not very young. Next up, Villa visit Basel on Dec 11.
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
English court imposes five-year stadium ban on YB fans
An English court in Birmingham has sentenced three supporters of Bernese football club Young Boys (YB) to a five-year stadium ban.
www.swissinfo.ch
December 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Some of these boys were not very young. Next up, Villa visit Basel on Dec 11.
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
The WTO Goods Council meeting where the report on resolved trade concerns was presented also heard about improving notifications in subsidiary committees.
More essential work from WTO members to improve how trade works. But I bet it won't be reported by any media.
www.wto.org/english/news...
More essential work from WTO members to improve how trade works. But I bet it won't be reported by any media.
www.wto.org/english/news...
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The WTO Goods Council meeting where the report on resolved trade concerns was presented also heard about improving notifications in subsidiary committees.
More essential work from WTO members to improve how trade works. But I bet it won't be reported by any media.
www.wto.org/english/news...
More essential work from WTO members to improve how trade works. But I bet it won't be reported by any media.
www.wto.org/english/news...
Misleading the public (if that's what it was) is serious, but round-the-clock coverage of everything everyone has said about it is getting tedious. Plus it's blocking out any discussion of what really matters, the UK budget's content.
1/2
1/2
December 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Misleading the public (if that's what it was) is serious, but round-the-clock coverage of everything everyone has said about it is getting tedious. Plus it's blocking out any discussion of what really matters, the UK budget's content.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
Review of Milan's financial results for 2024/265, when they finished 8th in the league and were finalists in the Coppa Italia final. On the plus side, they won the Supercoppa Italiana, but were eliminated in the Champions League knockout round by Feyenoord #Milan
December 1, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Review of Milan's financial results for 2024/265, when they finished 8th in the league and were finalists in the Coppa Italia final. On the plus side, they won the Supercoppa Italiana, but were eliminated in the Champions League knockout round by Feyenoord #Milan
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
In Switzerland, around 16k people with disabilities who are under full guardianship remain disenfranchised nation-wide, a clear violation of the UN Convention.
At the cantonal level, Geneva’s voters approved re-enfranchising these citizens in 2020. Today, voters in Vaud went firmly the other way
At the cantonal level, Geneva’s voters approved re-enfranchising these citizens in 2020. Today, voters in Vaud went firmly the other way
🗳️🇨🇭 VOTATIONS
Vaud prend le contre-pied de Genève en refusant catégoriquement le droit de vote aux handicapés
➡️ https://l.letemps.ch/yZC
Vaud prend le contre-pied de Genève en refusant catégoriquement le droit de vote aux handicapés
➡️ https://l.letemps.ch/yZC
November 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
In Switzerland, around 16k people with disabilities who are under full guardianship remain disenfranchised nation-wide, a clear violation of the UN Convention.
At the cantonal level, Geneva’s voters approved re-enfranchising these citizens in 2020. Today, voters in Vaud went firmly the other way
At the cantonal level, Geneva’s voters approved re-enfranchising these citizens in 2020. Today, voters in Vaud went firmly the other way
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaelic and Scots now recognised as official languages
The milestone is one of a number of new measures taking effect on St Andrew's Day from the Scottish Languages Act.
www.bbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Another voting day today in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Two federal votes are both defeated. Although some cantons still have not finished counting, in both cases a majority of cantons are needed, and that's already failed.
● Inheritance tax on the rich (50% if estate above CHF50mn)
● Compulsory civic duty
1/3
Two federal votes are both defeated. Although some cantons still have not finished counting, in both cases a majority of cantons are needed, and that's already failed.
● Inheritance tax on the rich (50% if estate above CHF50mn)
● Compulsory civic duty
1/3
Inheritance tax, civic duty initiatives headed for defeat as Swiss polls close
Projections on Sunday suggest voters will reject a new tax on the super-rich and an idea for all citizens to perform civic duty.
www.swissinfo.ch
November 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Another voting day today in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Two federal votes are both defeated. Although some cantons still have not finished counting, in both cases a majority of cantons are needed, and that's already failed.
● Inheritance tax on the rich (50% if estate above CHF50mn)
● Compulsory civic duty
1/3
Two federal votes are both defeated. Although some cantons still have not finished counting, in both cases a majority of cantons are needed, and that's already failed.
● Inheritance tax on the rich (50% if estate above CHF50mn)
● Compulsory civic duty
1/3
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
It should go without saying, but the president has no authority to do this, and anyone reporting the story needs to say as such.
November 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
It should go without saying, but the president has no authority to do this, and anyone reporting the story needs to say as such.
This is baffling. I had annual PSA tests as part of my routine GP check-up (including test for cholesterol etc). There's no downside.
The PSA started to rise. I had an MRI+biopsy. Cancer (small) was detected. The urologists suggested "active surveillance".
1/2
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The PSA started to rise. I had an MRI+biopsy. Cancer (small) was detected. The urologists suggested "active surveillance".
1/2
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Expert panel advises against prostate cancer screening for most men in UK
Charities express ‘deep disappointment’ as government advisers find harms of screening all men would outweigh benefits
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This is baffling. I had annual PSA tests as part of my routine GP check-up (including test for cholesterol etc). There's no downside.
The PSA started to rise. I had an MRI+biopsy. Cancer (small) was detected. The urologists suggested "active surveillance".
1/2
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The PSA started to rise. I had an MRI+biopsy. Cancer (small) was detected. The urologists suggested "active surveillance".
1/2
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
Trump Is Sending Myanmar Nationals to ‘Prisons, Torture, and Death’ by Ending Their Protected Status: zeteo.com/p/trump-noem...
Trump Is Sending Myanmar Nationals to ‘Prisons, Torture, and Death’ by Ending Their Protected Status
Human rights groups slammed DHS’s decision to end TPS for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals, as the country continues to face a brutal military dictatorship and bloody civil war.
zeteo.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Trump Is Sending Myanmar Nationals to ‘Prisons, Torture, and Death’ by Ending Their Protected Status: zeteo.com/p/trump-noem...
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
The Media Show should be available for listen-again outside the UK via this page
www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
BBC Audio | The Media Show
Listen to the latest episodes of The Media Show on BBC Audio
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The Media Show should be available for listen-again outside the UK via this page
www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
The Media Show (R4) has become one of the BBC's best radio programmes. Today's is no exception. It includes an item on the censored Reith Lecture plus other issues
Outside the UK we have to listen live. It's repeated tomorrow at 20:15 GMT. Otherwise available listen-again on BBC Sounds.
Outside the UK we have to listen live. It's repeated tomorrow at 20:15 GMT. Otherwise available listen-again on BBC Sounds.
BBC Radio 4 - The Media Show, The Reith Lecture row, Telegraph sale & CNN documentary MisinfoNation: White Genocide
Reith Lecture row, Telegraph sale and CNN documentary MisinfoNation: White Genocide.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The Media Show (R4) has become one of the BBC's best radio programmes. Today's is no exception. It includes an item on the censored Reith Lecture plus other issues
Outside the UK we have to listen live. It's repeated tomorrow at 20:15 GMT. Otherwise available listen-again on BBC Sounds.
Outside the UK we have to listen live. It's repeated tomorrow at 20:15 GMT. Otherwise available listen-again on BBC Sounds.
The EU v Colombia dispute over frozen chips was the first to use ad hoc appeal-by-arbitration instead of the blocked WTO Appellate Body.
It has now become the first such case to have a ruling adopted by WTO members. What, if anything, does it mean?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/r...
It has now become the first such case to have a ruling adopted by WTO members. What, if anything, does it mean?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/r...
WTO report’s adoption and the binding nature of appeal-by-arbitration
The dispute has crossed back and forth between the paths of conventional WTO dispute settlement and the ad hoc Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The EU v Colombia dispute over frozen chips was the first to use ad hoc appeal-by-arbitration instead of the blocked WTO Appellate Body.
It has now become the first such case to have a ruling adopted by WTO members. What, if anything, does it mean?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/r...
It has now become the first such case to have a ruling adopted by WTO members. What, if anything, does it mean?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/r...
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
I can’t think of a skeet I’d agree more with. It’s so much better to have the actual written down information.
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I can’t think of a skeet I’d agree more with. It’s so much better to have the actual written down information.
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
The OBR publishing early is bad news for a) the person who carries the can b) the political debate around the OBR but maybe good for those of us who think Budget documents should be published before, not after, the Chancellor speaks as a matter of course when the world doesn't end at 13:30 today?
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The OBR publishing early is bad news for a) the person who carries the can b) the political debate around the OBR but maybe good for those of us who think Budget documents should be published before, not after, the Chancellor speaks as a matter of course when the world doesn't end at 13:30 today?