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?...
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
New #WTO Committee ought to provide more transparency on fisheries subsidies and a forum for members to query each other, including on measures that ought to have been notified. Could be the biggest benefit of new agreement. 1/2
@alicetipping.bsky.social @coppetainpu.bsky.social
@alicetipping.bsky.social @coppetainpu.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM
New #WTO Committee ought to provide more transparency on fisheries subsidies and a forum for members to query each other, including on measures that ought to have been notified. Could be the biggest benefit of new agreement. 1/2
@alicetipping.bsky.social @coppetainpu.bsky.social
@alicetipping.bsky.social @coppetainpu.bsky.social
The committee overseeing the 2022 WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement held its inaugural meeting today. Ana Laura Lizano, Costa Rica, is its first chair
It comprises all 166 WTO members but the disciplines and notifying obligations only apply to 116 ratifying members
www.wto.org/english/news...
1/2
It comprises all 166 WTO members but the disciplines and notifying obligations only apply to 116 ratifying members
www.wto.org/english/news...
1/2
Chair elected at first meeting of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies
The Committee on Fisheries Subsidies held its first meeting on 9 December at the WTO, confirming the election of its first Chair, Ana Laura Lizano of Costa Rica. The role of the Committee will be to e...
www.wto.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The committee overseeing the 2022 WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement held its inaugural meeting today. Ana Laura Lizano, Costa Rica, is its first chair
It comprises all 166 WTO members but the disciplines and notifying obligations only apply to 116 ratifying members
www.wto.org/english/news...
1/2
It comprises all 166 WTO members but the disciplines and notifying obligations only apply to 116 ratifying members
www.wto.org/english/news...
1/2
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
Worth remembering that agreements called "Customs Unions" often don't confirm to economists' or WTO Art XXIV definitions. EU-TR doesn't cover all goods or a real CCP, but does cover regulatory alignment. And Mercosur...
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Worth remembering that agreements called "Customs Unions" often don't confirm to economists' or WTO Art XXIV definitions. EU-TR doesn't cover all goods or a real CCP, but does cover regulatory alignment. And Mercosur...
For me, this is the point. The case has to be made in comparison to alternatives. I'd add a free trade agreement that reduces barriers further without requiring common external tariffs, so not a customs union but FTA++
There is a very useful major piece of work to do that looks at the various options (CU, CU+, SM etc etc) prospectively (ie gains) vs retrospectively (ie losses).
December 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For me, this is the point. The case has to be made in comparison to alternatives. I'd add a free trade agreement that reduces barriers further without requiring common external tariffs, so not a customs union but FTA++
Reposted by Peter Ungphakorn
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
December 8, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
Good morning Gianni Infantino and FIFA. Are you sure about that peace prize?
Thailand attacks Cambodia in blow to Trump-backed ceasefire deal
Thailand attacks Cambodia in blow to Trump-backed ceasefire deal
Conflict has flared occasionally for decades and left dozens dead during a brief clash earlier this year
www.irishtimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Good morning Gianni Infantino and FIFA. Are you sure about that peace prize?
A look back at the work of Martin Parr, who has died aged 73. Known for his acute observations of the English class system, Parr’s images covered sunbathers and Conservative clubs, village fetes and coffee mornings
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Martin Parr: the photographer’s career in pictures
A look back at the career of Martin Parr who has died at the age of 73
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A look back at the work of Martin Parr, who has died aged 73. Known for his acute observations of the English class system, Parr’s images covered sunbathers and Conservative clubs, village fetes and coffee mornings
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
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