Federico Pisani
@federicopisani.bsky.social
Economist, specialized in biotech and EU policy.
Thanks for the interesting reflection.
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Thanks for the interesting reflection.
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
This has certainly emerged in previous exchanges with him, but I don't see the same undertone when discussing USA or China, who also are stronger parties.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This has certainly emerged in previous exchanges with him, but I don't see the same undertone when discussing USA or China, who also are stronger parties.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
You should partner with @ecmemes.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
You should partner with @ecmemes.bsky.social
It’d be a very interesting research paper.
December 4, 2025 at 10:41 AM
It’d be a very interesting research paper.
A nice summary of the piece.
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
December 4, 2025 at 8:38 AM
A nice summary of the piece.
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
Does the same apply to London or the US (Delaware, NY, etc) or China, or Singapore, or Panama, or Switzerland?
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
December 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Does the same apply to London or the US (Delaware, NY, etc) or China, or Singapore, or Panama, or Switzerland?
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
This obviously doesn’t justify Europe’s delays and lack of political will to move forward quickly.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
December 3, 2025 at 9:53 AM
This obviously doesn’t justify Europe’s delays and lack of political will to move forward quickly.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
Very interesting. Also interesting to see the US converging to the EU levels of intra-exchange in goods among member states.
Could the EU overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of market integration in goods?
Could the EU overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of market integration in goods?
December 1, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Very interesting. Also interesting to see the US converging to the EU levels of intra-exchange in goods among member states.
Could the EU overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of market integration in goods?
Could the EU overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of market integration in goods?
A valid point that could be interesting to consider. bsky.app/profile/aphc...
What I find annoying about UK-based "wither German industry" pieces is they never drill down into details of German supply chains
This piece highlights how other EU states are doing OK in industrial production without considering how far their supply chains are intertwined with German manufacturers
This piece highlights how other EU states are doing OK in industrial production without considering how far their supply chains are intertwined with German manufacturers
What's the matter with Germany? Because it's not what you think it is.
on.ft.com/4raAAk3
on.ft.com/4raAAk3
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
A valid point that could be interesting to consider. bsky.app/profile/aphc...
Indeed, what would be needed is to create the apparatus around such figure (or use the PESCO) and provide direct mandate to it from Council and Parliament to speak on their behalf.
The issue is the Council will hardly relinquish this power, so the figure could then be a representative of "core" EU.
The issue is the Council will hardly relinquish this power, so the figure could then be a representative of "core" EU.
November 24, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Indeed, what would be needed is to create the apparatus around such figure (or use the PESCO) and provide direct mandate to it from Council and Parliament to speak on their behalf.
The issue is the Council will hardly relinquish this power, so the figure could then be a representative of "core" EU.
The issue is the Council will hardly relinquish this power, so the figure could then be a representative of "core" EU.
Call me a romantic, or simply a European citizen, but I think that all this discussion in the UK revolving around the "economic" aspects of the Union, reflects a lack of vision, understanding, and ambition towards the Union itself.
An ex-MS looking to get back together for tax (receipts) reasons.
An ex-MS looking to get back together for tax (receipts) reasons.
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Call me a romantic, or simply a European citizen, but I think that all this discussion in the UK revolving around the "economic" aspects of the Union, reflects a lack of vision, understanding, and ambition towards the Union itself.
An ex-MS looking to get back together for tax (receipts) reasons.
An ex-MS looking to get back together for tax (receipts) reasons.
This to me is unacceptable and disrespectful.
If Europe were to use the same language and approach, it would engage directly with the leaders of Scotland, NI & Wales and leave behind the bureaucrats in London.
Still complete lack of acknowledgment from the UK of European institutions’ legitimacy.
If Europe were to use the same language and approach, it would engage directly with the leaders of Scotland, NI & Wales and leave behind the bureaucrats in London.
Still complete lack of acknowledgment from the UK of European institutions’ legitimacy.
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 AM
This to me is unacceptable and disrespectful.
If Europe were to use the same language and approach, it would engage directly with the leaders of Scotland, NI & Wales and leave behind the bureaucrats in London.
Still complete lack of acknowledgment from the UK of European institutions’ legitimacy.
If Europe were to use the same language and approach, it would engage directly with the leaders of Scotland, NI & Wales and leave behind the bureaucrats in London.
Still complete lack of acknowledgment from the UK of European institutions’ legitimacy.
Incapable of arguing on the matter, resorts to ad hominem. Reflects on you rather than anyone else.
The sad shallowness of social media and keyboard lions.
The sad shallowness of social media and keyboard lions.
November 12, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Incapable of arguing on the matter, resorts to ad hominem. Reflects on you rather than anyone else.
The sad shallowness of social media and keyboard lions.
The sad shallowness of social media and keyboard lions.
Well, the UK already packed up and left...
But seriously, the Union's purpose is to protect its citizens and their interests (not third countries'), and comparing violent annexation without consensus to opening the negotiations for accession to the Union is quite the stretch.
But seriously, the Union's purpose is to protect its citizens and their interests (not third countries'), and comparing violent annexation without consensus to opening the negotiations for accession to the Union is quite the stretch.
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Well, the UK already packed up and left...
But seriously, the Union's purpose is to protect its citizens and their interests (not third countries'), and comparing violent annexation without consensus to opening the negotiations for accession to the Union is quite the stretch.
But seriously, the Union's purpose is to protect its citizens and their interests (not third countries'), and comparing violent annexation without consensus to opening the negotiations for accession to the Union is quite the stretch.
I agree with you Niall, and tbh I think that a (possibly reformed) UK that is stable, reliable and trustworthy is an optimal case.
Mine was an exercise to identify the issue of legitimacy (of the EU) that still permeates too many discussions and opinions.
Scotland can decide for itself.
Mine was an exercise to identify the issue of legitimacy (of the EU) that still permeates too many discussions and opinions.
Scotland can decide for itself.
November 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I agree with you Niall, and tbh I think that a (possibly reformed) UK that is stable, reliable and trustworthy is an optimal case.
Mine was an exercise to identify the issue of legitimacy (of the EU) that still permeates too many discussions and opinions.
Scotland can decide for itself.
Mine was an exercise to identify the issue of legitimacy (of the EU) that still permeates too many discussions and opinions.
Scotland can decide for itself.
You think that using these tactics with the EU is fair play, while the EU using the same with others such as the UK is not.
To me, this is an unproductive debate as it's, at best, a domestic discussion within the EU.
To me, this is an unproductive debate as it's, at best, a domestic discussion within the EU.
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
You think that using these tactics with the EU is fair play, while the EU using the same with others such as the UK is not.
To me, this is an unproductive debate as it's, at best, a domestic discussion within the EU.
To me, this is an unproductive debate as it's, at best, a domestic discussion within the EU.
We diverge in the legitimacy of using the same approach the UK uses and historically used with the European Union and its member states, and the EU employing the same approach with UK and its component nations.
Comes down to what one thinks Europe is, and what trajectory it's taking.
Comes down to what one thinks Europe is, and what trajectory it's taking.
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
We diverge in the legitimacy of using the same approach the UK uses and historically used with the European Union and its member states, and the EU employing the same approach with UK and its component nations.
Comes down to what one thinks Europe is, and what trajectory it's taking.
Comes down to what one thinks Europe is, and what trajectory it's taking.
Indeed, this is where we diverge.
The perception of what the European Union is, how it is evolving, how it has developed state-specific attributes that clash with an abstract (and unrealistic) concept of statehood that doesn't really exist in practice (see the US endless caveats to its union).
The perception of what the European Union is, how it is evolving, how it has developed state-specific attributes that clash with an abstract (and unrealistic) concept of statehood that doesn't really exist in practice (see the US endless caveats to its union).
November 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Indeed, this is where we diverge.
The perception of what the European Union is, how it is evolving, how it has developed state-specific attributes that clash with an abstract (and unrealistic) concept of statehood that doesn't really exist in practice (see the US endless caveats to its union).
The perception of what the European Union is, how it is evolving, how it has developed state-specific attributes that clash with an abstract (and unrealistic) concept of statehood that doesn't really exist in practice (see the US endless caveats to its union).
My call is not to breakup the UK, on the contrary, is for the UK to stop its equivalent attempts.
The information bubble in UK/US is very biased towards specific aspects of Europe (some true, some false, some exaggerated), so this is an effort to counterbalance unproductive narratives taking hold.
The information bubble in UK/US is very biased towards specific aspects of Europe (some true, some false, some exaggerated), so this is an effort to counterbalance unproductive narratives taking hold.
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
My call is not to breakup the UK, on the contrary, is for the UK to stop its equivalent attempts.
The information bubble in UK/US is very biased towards specific aspects of Europe (some true, some false, some exaggerated), so this is an effort to counterbalance unproductive narratives taking hold.
The information bubble in UK/US is very biased towards specific aspects of Europe (some true, some false, some exaggerated), so this is an effort to counterbalance unproductive narratives taking hold.