Simon Lester
@simonlester.com
Founded WorldTradeLaw.net & ChinaTradeMonitor.com Non-Resident Fellow @bakerinstitute.bsky.social
Trade Policy feed: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xqzu2eazvxb5fohoc4nap33y/feed/aaab5ctu4u4fc
Trade Policy feed: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xqzu2eazvxb5fohoc4nap33y/feed/aaab5ctu4u4fc
Pinned
Simon Lester
@simonlester.com
· Apr 3
I see lots of new followers popping up today. I assume you are here for the trade policy, in which case you might like my custom trade policy feed: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Simon Lester
Reproductive rights was one of the Biden Administration’s signature policies. And Roe v Wade had been law for almost 50 years. The Supreme Court “interfered” with it.
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reproductive rights was one of the Biden Administration’s signature policies. And Roe v Wade had been law for almost 50 years. The Supreme Court “interfered” with it.
I think this may be where Cassidy wants to go:
- Everyone still buys insurance on the exchanges
- The insurance covers less and therefore premiums are less
- Government money can be used for health care expenses (but not premiums)
I don't think they can get there though.
- Everyone still buys insurance on the exchanges
- The insurance covers less and therefore premiums are less
- Government money can be used for health care expenses (but not premiums)
I don't think they can get there though.
It's not clear to me if the people making these statements understand how health insurance premiums and health care payments to providers work in our system. Maybe they do, in fact, understand, but the way they talk about the issues leaves it very unclear.
Cassidy: "The president is proposing that we take the $26b that would be going to insurance companies if we just do an extension and give it directly to the American people in which 100% of the money is used for them to purchase healthcare on their own terms. That makes them an informed consumer."
November 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I think this may be where Cassidy wants to go:
- Everyone still buys insurance on the exchanges
- The insurance covers less and therefore premiums are less
- Government money can be used for health care expenses (but not premiums)
I don't think they can get there though.
- Everyone still buys insurance on the exchanges
- The insurance covers less and therefore premiums are less
- Government money can be used for health care expenses (but not premiums)
I don't think they can get there though.
Reposted by Simon Lester
The end of dollar hegemony will transform U.S. debt from a fiscal drag into a high-yield fusion bomb.
For decades dollarization has generated structural demand for U.S. treasuries, depressing the interest rates the U.S. needs to offer to service its debt.
For decades dollarization has generated structural demand for U.S. treasuries, depressing the interest rates the U.S. needs to offer to service its debt.
one thing that I think we really don't think about is if Trump fucks up America's macro privileges or role in the international system and Americans are forced to end up dealing with a economic system that doesn't allow for the same old fiscal fixes as before
god I remember the fandom Russian zoomers on Twitter during the start of the war who were either "what can I do, I can't be held responsible" or "wow it's so mean that the West sanctioned us from our favourite fandoms"
November 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The end of dollar hegemony will transform U.S. debt from a fiscal drag into a high-yield fusion bomb.
For decades dollarization has generated structural demand for U.S. treasuries, depressing the interest rates the U.S. needs to offer to service its debt.
For decades dollarization has generated structural demand for U.S. treasuries, depressing the interest rates the U.S. needs to offer to service its debt.
Is there scholarly work on government officials using the media to send messages to their negotiating partners? If not, there should be!
US trade negotiator Jamieson Greer tells FT that the EU is being too slow in cutting tariffs and red tape - and that the relationship remains “unbalanced” - ahead of talks in Brussels this week
@aimewilliams.bsky.social & @andybounds.bsky.social with the scoop, as ever
@aimewilliams.bsky.social & @andybounds.bsky.social with the scoop, as ever
Trump trade negotiator hits out at EU delays in cutting tariffs and rules on.ft.com/4oUiQrq
November 16, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Is there scholarly work on government officials using the media to send messages to their negotiating partners? If not, there should be!
Reposted by Simon Lester
The Supreme Court made up the "major questions doctrine," under which the Court gets extra powers when things are a Big Deal and what's a Big Deal is up to the Justices.
Why not make up a new "signature policies" rule where a president can put things beyond the court's reach, like a franchise tag.
Why not make up a new "signature policies" rule where a president can put things beyond the court's reach, like a franchise tag.
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The Supreme Court made up the "major questions doctrine," under which the Court gets extra powers when things are a Big Deal and what's a Big Deal is up to the Justices.
Why not make up a new "signature policies" rule where a president can put things beyond the court's reach, like a franchise tag.
Why not make up a new "signature policies" rule where a president can put things beyond the court's reach, like a franchise tag.
It's not clear to me if the people making these statements understand how health insurance premiums and health care payments to providers work in our system. Maybe they do, in fact, understand, but the way they talk about the issues leaves it very unclear.
Cassidy: "The president is proposing that we take the $26b that would be going to insurance companies if we just do an extension and give it directly to the American people in which 100% of the money is used for them to purchase healthcare on their own terms. That makes them an informed consumer."
November 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
It's not clear to me if the people making these statements understand how health insurance premiums and health care payments to providers work in our system. Maybe they do, in fact, understand, but the way they talk about the issues leaves it very unclear.
Reposted by Simon Lester
A bit nerdy, but a reminder that organisations like the WTO are useful for discussing concerns multilaterally and for defusing trade tensions. Not always, but it's better than not having the WTO at all.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...
About half of trade concerns reported ‘resolved’ to WTO Goods Council
The paper sheds additional light on how the WTO can reduce trade tensions by providing a place for countries to discuss and share the issues they experience with each other in trade.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A bit nerdy, but a reminder that organisations like the WTO are useful for discussing concerns multilaterally and for defusing trade tensions. Not always, but it's better than not having the WTO at all.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...
Right, because of the often overlooked Signature Policy Clause of the Constitution. 🙄
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Right, because of the often overlooked Signature Policy Clause of the Constitution. 🙄
Reposted by Simon Lester
Massie: "I would remind my Republican colleagues who are decided how to vote, Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now by giving you an endorsement, but by 2030, he's not gonna be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don't vote to release those files."
November 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Massie: "I would remind my Republican colleagues who are decided how to vote, Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now by giving you an endorsement, but by 2030, he's not gonna be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don't vote to release those files."
I just watched a bunch of the @atrupar.com clips of the MTG interview with Dana Bash, and I feel like I was driving and my car spun out of control and now I'm trying to figure out what happened. What political path is she trying to carve for herself and where does she think it will lead??
November 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I just watched a bunch of the @atrupar.com clips of the MTG interview with Dana Bash, and I feel like I was driving and my car spun out of control and now I'm trying to figure out what happened. What political path is she trying to carve for herself and where does she think it will lead??
Reposted by Simon Lester
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "Promoting H-1B visas to replace American jobs, bringing in 600k Chinese students to replace American students' opportunities -- those are not America first positions. I would love to see Air Force One stay home and there be nothing but a focus in the WH on a domestic agenda"
November 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "Promoting H-1B visas to replace American jobs, bringing in 600k Chinese students to replace American students' opportunities -- those are not America first positions. I would love to see Air Force One stay home and there be nothing but a focus in the WH on a domestic agenda"
Reposted by Simon Lester
BASH: We have seen these attacks from the president at other people. It's not new. And I haven't heard you speak out about it until it was directed at you.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: I think that's fair criticism. And I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: I think that's fair criticism. And I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics.
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
BASH: We have seen these attacks from the president at other people. It's not new. And I haven't heard you speak out about it until it was directed at you.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: I think that's fair criticism. And I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: I think that's fair criticism. And I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics.
"There is no non-racist justification for prioritizing white Afrikaner South Africans while closing the door to virtually all other groups."
My critique of Trump's indefensible policy of prioritizing white South Africans for "refugee" admission, while barring virtually all others. If you advocate color-blindness in govt (as I do), you must condemn this blatant racial discrimination: reason.com/volokh/2025/...
Trump's Racially Discriminatory Refugee Policy
There is no non-racist justification for prioritizing white Afrikaner South Africans while closing the door to virtually all other groups.
reason.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
"There is no non-racist justification for prioritizing white Afrikaner South Africans while closing the door to virtually all other groups."
Reposted by Simon Lester
My critique of Trump's indefensible policy of prioritizing white South Africans for "refugee" admission, while barring virtually all others. If you advocate color-blindness in govt (as I do), you must condemn this blatant racial discrimination: reason.com/volokh/2025/...
Trump's Racially Discriminatory Refugee Policy
There is no non-racist justification for prioritizing white Afrikaner South Africans while closing the door to virtually all other groups.
reason.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
My critique of Trump's indefensible policy of prioritizing white South Africans for "refugee" admission, while barring virtually all others. If you advocate color-blindness in govt (as I do), you must condemn this blatant racial discrimination: reason.com/volokh/2025/...
Reposted by Simon Lester
just circling back on 1964 America's priorities
November 15, 2025 at 6:36 PM
just circling back on 1964 America's priorities
Reposted by Simon Lester
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
November 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Reposted by Simon Lester
President Trump is workshopping nicknames for Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Truth Social.
“Marjorie Taylor Brown” — he’s losing his touch.
If you have to explain a nickname, it doesn’t work.
“Marjorie Taylor Brown” — he’s losing his touch.
If you have to explain a nickname, it doesn’t work.
November 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM
President Trump is workshopping nicknames for Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Truth Social.
“Marjorie Taylor Brown” — he’s losing his touch.
If you have to explain a nickname, it doesn’t work.
“Marjorie Taylor Brown” — he’s losing his touch.
If you have to explain a nickname, it doesn’t work.
Reposted by Simon Lester
Reposted by Simon Lester
Ooof. I can’t believe X chose this case, and this place, to fight a global takedown order.
Canada is the one country with a Supreme Court decision supporting global takedowns. The case came out of BC, like this one.
It was about trade secrets. This is an ugly NCII case involving a trans person. 1/
Canada is the one country with a Supreme Court decision supporting global takedowns. The case came out of BC, like this one.
It was about trade secrets. This is an ugly NCII case involving a trans person. 1/
British Columbia’s Attorney General says she’s “deeply disturbed” that the social media company X has filed a legal challenge against an order to remove a non-consensual intimate image from the internet. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
B.C. Attorney General ‘deeply disturbed’ by social media giant’s intimate image case
British Columbia’s Attorney General says she’s “deeply disturbed” that the social media company X has filed a legal challenge against an order to remove a non-consensual intimate image from the intern...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Ooof. I can’t believe X chose this case, and this place, to fight a global takedown order.
Canada is the one country with a Supreme Court decision supporting global takedowns. The case came out of BC, like this one.
It was about trade secrets. This is an ugly NCII case involving a trans person. 1/
Canada is the one country with a Supreme Court decision supporting global takedowns. The case came out of BC, like this one.
It was about trade secrets. This is an ugly NCII case involving a trans person. 1/
Reposted by Simon Lester
Americans oppose rebranding the Department of Defense as "Department of War" 54-22, with 36% strongly opposed.
And that's not in ignorance. Asked if this change narrows the Pentagon's focus, a plurality says yes. But asked if that'll make Americans safer, a majority says no.
The public gets it.
And that's not in ignorance. Asked if this change narrows the Pentagon's focus, a plurality says yes. But asked if that'll make Americans safer, a majority says no.
The public gets it.
Most Americans oppose the ’Department of War’ rebranding
Even 42% of Republicans are no fans of the change.
goodauthority.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Americans oppose rebranding the Department of Defense as "Department of War" 54-22, with 36% strongly opposed.
And that's not in ignorance. Asked if this change narrows the Pentagon's focus, a plurality says yes. But asked if that'll make Americans safer, a majority says no.
The public gets it.
And that's not in ignorance. Asked if this change narrows the Pentagon's focus, a plurality says yes. But asked if that'll make Americans safer, a majority says no.
The public gets it.
Reposted by Simon Lester
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order exempting hundreds of food products from tariffs in response to high grocery prices.
The new exemptions took effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
The new exemptions took effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Modifying the Scope of the Reciprocal Tariff with Respect to Certain Agricultural Products
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency
www.whitehouse.gov
November 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order exempting hundreds of food products from tariffs in response to high grocery prices.
The new exemptions took effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
The new exemptions took effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Following up on my nostalgia Bluesky post with a nostalgia @leaflet.pub post.
Some Thoughts on Nostalgia for the Economy of the 1950s, or 1980s, or 2000s (or Whenever)
Some people say they want the economy of the past, but that economy is not what they imagine
simonlester.leaflet.pub
November 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Following up on my nostalgia Bluesky post with a nostalgia @leaflet.pub post.
Reposted by Simon Lester
Greene’s doing this for the same reason she was pandering to brainworms years ahead of when it became the GOP platform. She’s cynical but not actually stupid, and better than most at getting ahead of the curve. Knowing which way the wind is blowing. She’s placing her bets now for the post-Trump era.
November 15, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Greene’s doing this for the same reason she was pandering to brainworms years ahead of when it became the GOP platform. She’s cynical but not actually stupid, and better than most at getting ahead of the curve. Knowing which way the wind is blowing. She’s placing her bets now for the post-Trump era.
Reposted by Simon Lester
Love 2 go to the doctor and not know what body part they’re analyzing
November 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Love 2 go to the doctor and not know what body part they’re analyzing
Reposted by Simon Lester
Trump un-endorses Marjorie Taylor Greene
November 15, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Trump un-endorses Marjorie Taylor Greene