Managing editor for @BorderlexEditor covering EU trade policy. Recovering lobbyist. Season ticket holder @UnionStGilloise @RoyalBelgianFA. Meme maker
Joined May 2021
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Jan 7
The EU wants to diversify its trade relations - but will its member states let it? My preview of 2026 below borderlex.net/2026/01/07/eu-…
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Hello from the port of Seattle. Obviously I am here for trade, er, work, and no other reason, no other reason at all….
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Jun 11
The EU and China should continue to talk to each other, a leading MEP said today, even if tensions concerning overcapacity and subsidies remain front and centre. An EU diplomat also confirmed that China will be a focus of talks at next week's EU summit
borderlex.net/2026/06/11/kee…
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Jun 10
The EU and South Korea set up a new high-level economic dialogue and a 'Competitiveness Partnership. What does this mean though? Er...not clear. What we do know, is below borderlex.net/2026/06/10/eu-…
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Jun 10
EU concludes revamped agreement with 4 African countries, going beyond goods to include digital trade, services, IP, procurement, and much more. The blueprint for other deals with Africa, potentially. More by me here borderlex.net/2026/06/10/eu-…
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Jun 10
Some great flags here
Jun 10
🇰🇲🇲🇬🇲🇺🇸🇨
Trade in goods, services, investment and digital trade.
That's the enhanced agreement we've negotiated with Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles.
A first of a kind between the EU and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Get the facts🔗 link.europa.eu/pX7dfG
#EUTrade
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Jun 9
The UK should resist the temptation of establishing its own 'anti-coercion instreument', argues former government official Tamsin Morgan in this op-ed (in front of the paywall so free to access) borderlex.net/2026/06/09/opi…
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Jun 9
EU and South Korea will sign their digital trade agreement tomorrow - the text as it stands is here circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/0…
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Jun 8
Member states are lobbying the commission to let them retain their own customs data systems within the EU data hub. Some insiders think this is bad - the data hub is a key plank of the customs reform - but the picture is more complex. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/06/08/eu-…
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Jun 8
If you're an aspiring journalist and you want to work with me - now's your chance! We're hiring. More info here borderlex.net/2026/06/08/job…
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Jun 5
In EU trade policy news you may have missed this week:
📌Maroš in Paris
📌Leather in the EUDR?
📌Steel consultation
📌UAE talks
More by me here borderlex.net/2026/06/05/wee…
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Jun 3
Who could have predicted this? Incoming Section 301 tariffs on EU will add up, roughly, to 15% - as was the case previously. But there's another 301 probe coming along soon. So what then? Reactions and analysis w/ @berndlange and @SamuelMarcLowe borderlex.net/2026/06/03/bru…
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Jun 3
EU gets a 10% under this new section 301 tariff on forced labour. Likely to replace the current section 122 tariff at end of July which is also 10%. Key question - will there be a 15% ceiling for EU as agreed at Turnberry?
For nearly a century, the United States has prohibited the importation of goods made with forced labor. It is time for our trading partners to follow suit.
Today, Ambassador Greer determined that the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to the failure to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.
Learn more about submitting public comments regarding the proposed responsive action: ustr.gov/about/policy-office…
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Rob Francis retweeted
Jun 3
USTR just released its Section 301 investigation on forced labor, and proposes a 10% tariff on 16 jurisdictions (including the EU) and 12.5% on other investigated countries. An extensive list of products is proposed to be exempt. Feels IEEPA-tariff like.
Analysis tomorrow.
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Jun 2
MEPS want 'made in EU' to mean 'made in EU' and not 'made in EU and FTA partners'. Member states seem more focused on ensuring trade diversification. This IAA thing will be tricky And they want to finalise all this by the end of the year! Hold tight borderlex.net/2026/06/02/eu-…
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Jun 2
It's early days but I wouldn't want to be in the trilogue for the Industrial Accelerator Act - MEPs on another planet from the member states based on the latter's debate last week. Majority of MEPs back strict Made in Europe rules and are reluctant to let FTA partners into scope
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Jun 2
If anyone had any doubt that the EU Industrial Accelerator Act is a French initiative - the lead commissioner and two of the rapporteurs are French. I mean, there are 26 other member states out there...
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Jun 2
Quite the intervention from a former Swedish PM
Jun 2
I find the concept of “overcapacity” ridiculous. Does Germany have an overcapacity in cars? France one in wine? Sweden in heavy trucks? Italy in fashion? And don’t tell me that European food exports aren’t subsidized. euobserver.com/218003/china-…
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Rob Francis retweeted
Jun 2
🇪🇺🇺🇸Next milestone reached
Strong majority. @EP_Trade endorsed the negotiated outcome on the implementation of EU–US deal
Parliament’s key demands included: robust safety net with sunset clause, review provisions & safeguards against new US tariffs
Next: plenary vote on 16 June
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Jun 1
In news that will surprise no-one, China doles out more subsidies to its firms than anyone else. But now that the OECD is saying it too, maybe the EU will use it as evidence for stronger trade defence measures? More by me below borderlex.net/2026/06/01/glo…
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Jun 1
An OECD report out today says that firms in China receive “three to eight times more government support than firms based in the OECD”. Expect this to be referenced in any future EU tool to tackle Chinese overcapacity.
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