Arthur Leichthammer
@aleichthammer.bsky.social
Policy Fellow Geoeconomics @ Jacques Delors Centre, Berlin
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
EPP Mercosur fast-track bid collapses at plenary
EPP Mercosur fast-track bid collapses at plenary
A panic-driven U-turn exposed deep divisions in the Parliament over the deal
dlvr.it
November 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
EPP Mercosur fast-track bid collapses at plenary
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
1/ What a Russian breaking of the ceasefire will look like, step by step.
There are far better experts on this, but I was an Australian diplomat in Ukraine in 2014 so I've seen this play out up close.
So join me, brothers and sisters, as we count down to a fullscale re-invasion.
There are far better experts on this, but I was an Australian diplomat in Ukraine in 2014 so I've seen this play out up close.
So join me, brothers and sisters, as we count down to a fullscale re-invasion.
November 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
1/ What a Russian breaking of the ceasefire will look like, step by step.
There are far better experts on this, but I was an Australian diplomat in Ukraine in 2014 so I've seen this play out up close.
So join me, brothers and sisters, as we count down to a fullscale re-invasion.
There are far better experts on this, but I was an Australian diplomat in Ukraine in 2014 so I've seen this play out up close.
So join me, brothers and sisters, as we count down to a fullscale re-invasion.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Some cautionary words from Kozo Saiki from Japan's trade ministry, at the EU's trade policy day
He says Tokyo prepared a subsidy programme for firms to process rare earths domestically but "very few applied" because they "can't compete with cheap products" from China
He says Tokyo prepared a subsidy programme for firms to process rare earths domestically but "very few applied" because they "can't compete with cheap products" from China
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Some cautionary words from Kozo Saiki from Japan's trade ministry, at the EU's trade policy day
He says Tokyo prepared a subsidy programme for firms to process rare earths domestically but "very few applied" because they "can't compete with cheap products" from China
He says Tokyo prepared a subsidy programme for firms to process rare earths domestically but "very few applied" because they "can't compete with cheap products" from China
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
1/This week has seen a blitz of what looks like corruption sandals: Saudi development deals for US military tech, Pakistani payments to Trump insiders for tariff relief, Swiss gold bars for a trade deal. Far from a payoff, this is a reordering of internat'l system.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...
www.dropbox.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
1/This week has seen a blitz of what looks like corruption sandals: Saudi development deals for US military tech, Pakistani payments to Trump insiders for tariff relief, Swiss gold bars for a trade deal. Far from a payoff, this is a reordering of internat'l system.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
14) For Socialists, Renew, and Greens, this vote should mark the moment to insist decisively on a genuine and binding coalition agreement that sets clear red lines and joint positions on the Commission’s agenda. Otherwise, they are poised to remain little more than “opt-in” partners to the EPP.
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
14) For Socialists, Renew, and Greens, this vote should mark the moment to insist decisively on a genuine and binding coalition agreement that sets clear red lines and joint positions on the Commission’s agenda. Otherwise, they are poised to remain little more than “opt-in” partners to the EPP.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
7) How did we get to this point? This vote was neither a surprise nor a one-time accident. In about a dozen cases in this legislative period – procedural votes, amendments, resolutions – the EPP already forged majorities with the three far-right groups (ECR, Patriots, ESN).
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
7) How did we get to this point? This vote was neither a surprise nor a one-time accident. In about a dozen cases in this legislative period – procedural votes, amendments, resolutions – the EPP already forged majorities with the three far-right groups (ECR, Patriots, ESN).
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Today’s Omnibus vote has rolled over an already perforated cordon sanitaire in the European Parliament. For the first time, the EPP sided with far-right groups on a file key to the Commission’s agenda. Make no mistake: this was no accident and it’s unclear whether the centrist coalition can recover🧵
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Today’s Omnibus vote has rolled over an already perforated cordon sanitaire in the European Parliament. For the first time, the EPP sided with far-right groups on a file key to the Commission’s agenda. Make no mistake: this was no accident and it’s unclear whether the centrist coalition can recover🧵
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Today´s vote on the Sustainability Omnibus was a watershed moment in the European Parliament, as the EPP sides with far-right political groups to scratch climate transition plans and civil liability under the CSDDD, and reduce the scope of companies covered under the CSRD.
Thread:
Thread:
November 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Today´s vote on the Sustainability Omnibus was a watershed moment in the European Parliament, as the EPP sides with far-right political groups to scratch climate transition plans and civil liability under the CSDDD, and reduce the scope of companies covered under the CSRD.
Thread:
Thread:
Incredible how fast the EP has shifted. Recap many a uni essays debating whether Parliament could effectively hold the Commission and member states to ESG and rule-of-law goals. Now, the EPP is opening the avenue for those foundations to be undone.
Today, the conservatives (EPP) passed a major piece of EU legislation with the far-right groups in the EU Parliament, marking the breakdown of the cordon sanitaire. The EPP, under Weber, has decided to sacrifice long-term principles and stability for short-term political gains.
Thread:
Thread:
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Incredible how fast the EP has shifted. Recap many a uni essays debating whether Parliament could effectively hold the Commission and member states to ESG and rule-of-law goals. Now, the EPP is opening the avenue for those foundations to be undone.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
The European Democracy Shield🛡️ is finally out today. Here is what it says (and what I think):🧵⬇️
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
commission.europa.eu
November 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The European Democracy Shield🛡️ is finally out today. Here is what it says (and what I think):🧵⬇️
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Die deutsche und europäische Automobilindustrie kriselt, gefühlt im Wochentakt kommen die Eilmeldungen über Stellenabbau bei Herstellern und Zulieferern. Wie ihr geholfen werden kann, habe ich mit @nilsredeker.bsky.social und @sandertordoir.bsky.social diskutiert: open.spotify.com/episode/15Nb...
Wege aus der Krise: Wie die europäische Autoindustrie gerettet werden kann
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Die deutsche und europäische Automobilindustrie kriselt, gefühlt im Wochentakt kommen die Eilmeldungen über Stellenabbau bei Herstellern und Zulieferern. Wie ihr geholfen werden kann, habe ich mit @nilsredeker.bsky.social und @sandertordoir.bsky.social diskutiert: open.spotify.com/episode/15Nb...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
EPP leader Manfred Weber just gave a very good keynote speech on the future of Europe in Berlin tonight, putting forward seven principles for a stronger EU.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
November 10, 2025 at 7:41 PM
EPP leader Manfred Weber just gave a very good keynote speech on the future of Europe in Berlin tonight, putting forward seven principles for a stronger EU.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
It's been a rough year for European trade policy. The deal with the US, disputes with China and an overall sense of a worsening economic climate. My latest piece tries to draw out some lessons for Europe www.cer.eu/insights/thr...
Three hard lessons for European trade
Global trade policy is now dominated by great power politics, putting Europe under pressure. The EU will have to accommodate the US, confront China and derisk from both.
www.cer.eu
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
It's been a rough year for European trade policy. The deal with the US, disputes with China and an overall sense of a worsening economic climate. My latest piece tries to draw out some lessons for Europe www.cer.eu/insights/thr...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
The Commission is set to finally unveil the Democracy Shield 🛡️on 12 November! Here is what it will look like and what details will matter. 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The Commission is set to finally unveil the Democracy Shield 🛡️on 12 November! Here is what it will look like and what details will matter. 🧵
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Woah what a cover from Handelsblatt.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
October 31, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Woah what a cover from Handelsblatt.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
The China Trap.
"Raw materials, semiconductors, export markets — out of convenience and short-sightedness, Germany made itself dependent on Beijing. Now the bill is coming due. But there are ways out."
That note of optimism at the end is exactly right.
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
While the European Council in Brussels took the spotlight, this week's events in Strasbourg should set off alarm bells. The European Parliament slamming the brakes on the first “Omnibus” package isn’t just a hiccup – it’s a symptom of strain in the EU’s democratic engine. A thread 🧵
October 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
While the European Council in Brussels took the spotlight, this week's events in Strasbourg should set off alarm bells. The European Parliament slamming the brakes on the first “Omnibus” package isn’t just a hiccup – it’s a symptom of strain in the EU’s democratic engine. A thread 🧵
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
By every metric, the industry is in deep trouble — and none of it has anything to do with future emission rules or an engine ban a decade away.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
By every metric, the industry is in deep trouble — and none of it has anything to do with future emission rules or an engine ban a decade away.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
In fact, the future of cars is electric - not because of Brussels regulation, but because EVs will soon be much cheaper to make and run.
!!
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
October 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
!!
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
Should other EU countries copy Germany's Industriestrompreis?
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Should other EU countries copy Germany's Industriestrompreis?
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry.
🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
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/
October 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
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/
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
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/
October 10, 2025 at 10:28 AM
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/
Here we go again...
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Here we go again...
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?
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?
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
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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?
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?
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
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...
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
September 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
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...
With @jannikjansen.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Arthur Leichthammer
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
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social
If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen
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
September 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
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
New op-ed with @onethuthree.bsky.social