Mona Paulsen
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in International Economic Law, LSE Law School. Specialisation in international trade law and economic security, in addition to research and teaching interests in international investment law, international development, and IPE.
Pinned
Mona Paulsen
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Happy to share my publication, The Past, Present, and Potential of Economic Security, in 50 Yale Journal of International Law 222 (Summer 2025), now available on Hein Online (DM if you cannot access through your local libraries). My thanks to the student editors who worked hard on this publication.
Can Local Content Requirements Save Europe’s Auto Industry? I know the answer: No 🙂
rhg.com/research/mad...
rhg.com/research/mad...
November 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Can Local Content Requirements Save Europe’s Auto Industry? I know the answer: No 🙂
rhg.com/research/mad...
rhg.com/research/mad...
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
The EU and India are cutting corners to get a trade deal across the line by the end of the year. The latest casualty is the state-owned enterprises chapter - now consigned to history. But problems remain. More by me here borderlex.net/2025/11/25/e...
EU, India ditch another chapter as trade deal deadline nears - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Union and India continue to eye agreement on a free trade pact before the end of the year.
borderlex.net
November 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The EU and India are cutting corners to get a trade deal across the line by the end of the year. The latest casualty is the state-owned enterprises chapter - now consigned to history. But problems remain. More by me here borderlex.net/2025/11/25/e...
Not just soften. The EU would surrender the moral high ground to a rights-based regulatory environment in the interests of protecting users in the digital ecosystem.
The US pushes for softer digital rules enforcement in exchange for tariff relief to the Europeans after Brussels meeting with Greer and Lutnick.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/djXm
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/djXm
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Not just soften. The EU would surrender the moral high ground to a rights-based regulatory environment in the interests of protecting users in the digital ecosystem.
Don’t know how it took this long but my children have finally found out that the word duties is hilarious.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Don’t know how it took this long but my children have finally found out that the word duties is hilarious.
As I engage more deeply with policy proposals to fulfil the EU economic security strategy, I find myself returning to Doug Irwin's historical work on import substitution strategies. After exploring the work of early development economists, Irwin concluded…
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As I engage more deeply with policy proposals to fulfil the EU economic security strategy, I find myself returning to Doug Irwin's historical work on import substitution strategies. After exploring the work of early development economists, Irwin concluded…
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
"The Trump administration has signaled in private talks that it could launch a Section 301 trade investigation if South Korea pursues legislation viewed as harmful to U.S. tech firms, even as the two nations move ahead with their new trade agreement."
POLITICO Pro: Trump admin to S Korea: We’ll launch trade investigation if you pursue digital regulations
Seoul has pledged not to disadvantage American tech firms in its domestic market, as the two countries continue to flesh out their trade agreement.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"The Trump administration has signaled in private talks that it could launch a Section 301 trade investigation if South Korea pursues legislation viewed as harmful to U.S. tech firms, even as the two nations move ahead with their new trade agreement."
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Exemplars vs. Precedents in WTO Law
Exemplars vs. Precedents in WTO Law
As most of this blog's readers are aware, there has been controversy over the "permissible interpretation" language in the legal standard of review in AD Agreement Article 17.6(ii). The U.S. argued for years that this language should provide special deference to domestic investigating
dlvr.it
November 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Exemplars vs. Precedents in WTO Law
EU EcoSec tethered to arming up-- reflective of the overbearing metaphors of weaponisation and "trade war" that sees the EU as getting ready for battle. Economics has always been key to defence, but I wonder if they'll think about action beyond shocks and beyond wartime.
Sefcovic on coming economic security doctrine at EU trade policy day
"It came from lessons of the past mandate, we realised that today everything could be weaponised... look at our tools, trade defence instruments, export controls, are they fast enough? Are they robust enough?"
"It came from lessons of the past mandate, we realised that today everything could be weaponised... look at our tools, trade defence instruments, export controls, are they fast enough? Are they robust enough?"
November 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
EU EcoSec tethered to arming up-- reflective of the overbearing metaphors of weaponisation and "trade war" that sees the EU as getting ready for battle. Economics has always been key to defence, but I wonder if they'll think about action beyond shocks and beyond wartime.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
NEW: The European Commission is set to present a list of sectors that it wants to be exempted from U.S. tariffs to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when they meet EU ministers next Monday.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
EU to present tariff exemption wishlist to top Trump envoys
Brussels will put forward request to U.S. officials to exempt goods like medical devices and alcohol from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
www.politico.eu
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
NEW: The European Commission is set to present a list of sectors that it wants to be exempted from U.S. tariffs to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when they meet EU ministers next Monday.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
Gideon Rachman is very good here. My takeaway is that Europe may need to stop acting (to quote from the brilliant Celebrity Traitors) like a Big Dog and start thinking like a shrewd, smaller one.
tinyurl.com/2n27s5d3
tinyurl.com/2n27s5d3
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
[FREE TO READ] As the EU struggles to defend its interests, outside powers play divide and rule
tinyurl.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Gideon Rachman is very good here. My takeaway is that Europe may need to stop acting (to quote from the brilliant Celebrity Traitors) like a Big Dog and start thinking like a shrewd, smaller one.
tinyurl.com/2n27s5d3
tinyurl.com/2n27s5d3
Raimondo, key architect of Biden ecosec team, largely upheld Trump 1.0 trade controls. That's the thing about controls, easy to put on, but difficult to remove. All too slippery -- one justification slides into another, without review, under the over-arching, opaque premise of economic security.
Former US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Trump’s tariffs are likely to outlive his administration, sustained by political fears that removing protectionist barriers will alienate workers who fear losing their jobs to off-shoring and AI
Raimondo Says Trump’s Tariffs Hard to Remove for Next President
Former US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said President Donald Trump’s tariffs are likely to outlive his administration, sustained by political fears that removing protectionist barriers will alienate workers who fear losing their jobs to off-shoring and AI.
bloom.bg
November 19, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Raimondo, key architect of Biden ecosec team, largely upheld Trump 1.0 trade controls. That's the thing about controls, easy to put on, but difficult to remove. All too slippery -- one justification slides into another, without review, under the over-arching, opaque premise of economic security.
Just want to recommend @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social latest MFN substack on the new(ish) rules of control. mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/rules-of-c...
Rules of Control
Pwned.
mostfavourednation.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Just want to recommend @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social latest MFN substack on the new(ish) rules of control. mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/rules-of-c...
The issue here is the Executive is determining under the guise of an economic emergency which tariffs to lower, taking control of all questions of competitiveness and redistribution. If Americans can once again savour coffee and smoothies, is the emergency over? And, if not, what was sacrificed?
The Trump administration has discovered a basic principle of economics: Tariffs raise prices.
The Trump administration finally admits that tariffs raise prices
If lowering tariffs makes things cheaper, why stop at coffee?
reason.pub
November 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The issue here is the Executive is determining under the guise of an economic emergency which tariffs to lower, taking control of all questions of competitiveness and redistribution. If Americans can once again savour coffee and smoothies, is the emergency over? And, if not, what was sacrificed?
In the USA, policies aim to expand the dominance of US private firms, while under growing executive oversight, whereby power is recentred to the top, ultimately leading to the US becoming a hub of digital monopolies and a centralised executive.
www.ft.com/content/bea8...
www.ft.com/content/bea8...
Trump trade negotiator hits out at EU delays in cutting tariffs and rules
Jamieson Greer warns bloc that trade remains a ‘flashpoint’ in advance of talks next week
www.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In the USA, policies aim to expand the dominance of US private firms, while under growing executive oversight, whereby power is recentred to the top, ultimately leading to the US becoming a hub of digital monopolies and a centralised executive.
www.ft.com/content/bea8...
www.ft.com/content/bea8...
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
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
Trump trade negotiator hits out at EU delays in cutting tariffs and rules
Jamieson Greer warns bloc that trade remains a ‘flashpoint’ in advance of talks next week
on.ft.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
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
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said Saturday that Brazilian exported goods to the U.S. including coffee, beef and tropical fruits would still be tariffed 40%, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to remove some import taxes.
Brazilian coffee, beef and tropical fruit will still be tariffed 40%, says Brazil’s vice president
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said Saturday that Brazilian exported goods to the U.S. including coffee, beef and tropical fruits would still be tariffed 40%, despite President Donald Tru…
trib.al
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said Saturday that Brazilian exported goods to the U.S. including coffee, beef and tropical fruits would still be tariffed 40%, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to remove some import taxes.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
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...
Good quote from @dougpalmer.bsky.social
CEOs speak up.
“.. This has been an exhausting year, I’d say, for most CEOs .. The level of executive time that’s been put in this has been enormous. So instead of focusing on innovation, they’re focusing on how they deal with the tariffs.”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
“.. This has been an exhausting year, I’d say, for most CEOs .. The level of executive time that’s been put in this has been enormous. So instead of focusing on innovation, they’re focusing on how they deal with the tariffs.”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Good quote from @dougpalmer.bsky.social
Amazing to see such claims considering it was the US who raised costs on its own importers.
Brazil and Ecuador would very much matter for these 3, but there’s nothing signed yet.
Brazil and Ecuador would very much matter for these 3, but there’s nothing signed yet.
Bessent: "Not only will the tariffs come off some of the things you just listed -- coffee, cocoa, bananas -- that's a result of the trade deals going through, and then we will see this go down."
November 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Amazing to see such claims considering it was the US who raised costs on its own importers.
Brazil and Ecuador would very much matter for these 3, but there’s nothing signed yet.
Brazil and Ecuador would very much matter for these 3, but there’s nothing signed yet.
Beyond ecosec alignment, some of these commitments involve sweeping denials of Guatemalan sovereignty, not to mention the efforts of poorer economies to protect their agricultural sectors. O/S questions: What if US standards are different from International ones? What kind of regulatory oversight?
November 14, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Beyond ecosec alignment, some of these commitments involve sweeping denials of Guatemalan sovereignty, not to mention the efforts of poorer economies to protect their agricultural sectors. O/S questions: What if US standards are different from International ones? What kind of regulatory oversight?
More US security agreements with a majority of DR-CAFTA signatories.
Ecuador commits to US economic security planning, TRQs for ag goods, commits not to impose DST, to abandon GIs on meet/cheeses. Interesting commitment on international IP though.
And for what? Qualifying doing a lot of work.
Ecuador commits to US economic security planning, TRQs for ag goods, commits not to impose DST, to abandon GIs on meet/cheeses. Interesting commitment on international IP though.
And for what? Qualifying doing a lot of work.
November 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
More US security agreements with a majority of DR-CAFTA signatories.
Ecuador commits to US economic security planning, TRQs for ag goods, commits not to impose DST, to abandon GIs on meet/cheeses. Interesting commitment on international IP though.
And for what? Qualifying doing a lot of work.
Ecuador commits to US economic security planning, TRQs for ag goods, commits not to impose DST, to abandon GIs on meet/cheeses. Interesting commitment on international IP though.
And for what? Qualifying doing a lot of work.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
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...
I have a question - I couldn't find any record of this before, so is this a new development?
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I have a question - I couldn't find any record of this before, so is this a new development?
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
One thing I've wondered about on the trade deals governments are signing with Trump is, what are others getting out of this? In my latest IELP post I look at an example from the Cambodia deal, under which Trump removed an arms embargo imposed by Biden that cited human rights and corruption concerns.
Trump's Cambodia Trade Deal, Arms Exports, and the Role of Non-Trade Concessions
In this post, I'm going to talk about some aspects of the recent U.S. trade deal with Cambodia that I haven't heard raised yet, including the following questions: (1) Is the decision to allow U.S. arm...
ielp.worldtradelaw.net
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
One thing I've wondered about on the trade deals governments are signing with Trump is, what are others getting out of this? In my latest IELP post I look at an example from the Cambodia deal, under which Trump removed an arms embargo imposed by Biden that cited human rights and corruption concerns.
IEEPA authority is contingent upon an emergency, distinguishing it from "normal" times (Congressional oversight). The deals are already misaligned with the goals. Plural trade deficits= emergency? Without foreign investments, defence alignment, or plane purchases, there would be no trade deficit?
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
IEEPA authority is contingent upon an emergency, distinguishing it from "normal" times (Congressional oversight). The deals are already misaligned with the goals. Plural trade deficits= emergency? Without foreign investments, defence alignment, or plane purchases, there would be no trade deficit?