Wessel van Rensburg
@wildebees.bsky.social
The digital policy strategist you didn’t know you needed—using terms like 'sovereign data assets' as casually as most would say 'hello'.
Also geopolitics, innovation, industrial policy.
Location: Den Haag 🇳🇱 From: 🇿🇦
Also geopolitics, innovation, industrial policy.
Location: Den Haag 🇳🇱 From: 🇿🇦
Pinned
Why stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box
Stablecoins betray the essence of money itself: credit.
www.reaction.life
New essay ↓ with Andreas Dombret www.reaction.life/p/why-stable... #stablecoins
Stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box. The Trump admin just signed the GENIUS Act, but the warnings should be louder.
Here's what everyone's missing about why stablecoins betray the essence of money itself 🧵
Stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box. The Trump admin just signed the GENIUS Act, but the warnings should be louder.
Here's what everyone's missing about why stablecoins betray the essence of money itself 🧵
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Sweden’s Prime Minister, in a new statement on Greenland:
“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed… Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.”
“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed… Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.”
January 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Sweden’s Prime Minister, in a new statement on Greenland:
“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed… Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.”
“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed… Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.”
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
The EU should be cutting ads featuring Danish and other families who lost loved ones fighting in America's stupid recent wars and airing them in every swing district.
January 17, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The EU should be cutting ads featuring Danish and other families who lost loved ones fighting in America's stupid recent wars and airing them in every swing district.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
I'm guessing now might be a good time to get some non-US cloud storage and email solutions. Any recommendations?
January 17, 2026 at 7:49 PM
I'm guessing now might be a good time to get some non-US cloud storage and email solutions. Any recommendations?
Excellent 👍🏼
First casualty of Trump's new tariff threat - the US/EU trade deal
MEP's were already wavering on legislative approval given the Admin's Greenland threats
This has tipped them over the edge
MEP's were already wavering on legislative approval given the Admin's Greenland threats
This has tipped them over the edge
January 17, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Excellent 👍🏼
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Macron now refers to "intimidation or threat", explicitly comparing US behaviour in Greenland to Russia's approach to Ukraine. Sweden's PM says: "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed". Much, tougher language from Europeans than we have seen before, responding to the US escalation.
January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Macron now refers to "intimidation or threat", explicitly comparing US behaviour in Greenland to Russia's approach to Ukraine. Sweden's PM says: "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed". Much, tougher language from Europeans than we have seen before, responding to the US escalation.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
This looks like the start of a trade war: the potential for escalation is huge, and room for compromise on both sides is very limited.
Markets are likely to react violently on Monday.
#TradeWar #USAEurope
Markets are likely to react violently on Monday.
#TradeWar #USAEurope
These are not "normal" trade tariffs.
For the first time, US economic pressure on Europe is explicitly tied to brutal political demands: surrender territory or face economic punishment.
This is a historic test for Europe.
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/17/t...
For the first time, US economic pressure on Europe is explicitly tied to brutal political demands: surrender territory or face economic punishment.
This is a historic test for Europe.
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/17/t...
Trump: NATO members to face tariffs increasing to 25% until a Greenland purchase deal is struck
Trump recently hinted that he may pursue a tariff strategy on Greenland similar to the one he used to force foreign countries to change their drug prices.
www.cnbc.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This looks like the start of a trade war: the potential for escalation is huge, and room for compromise on both sides is very limited.
Markets are likely to react violently on Monday.
#TradeWar #USAEurope
Markets are likely to react violently on Monday.
#TradeWar #USAEurope
The Brits, the most exposed to the US, still can’t quite face the implications.
Here is the response by UK Prime Minister Starmer - categorical pushback against, but also no signal of coordinating the response with the other Europeans but rather 'pursuing this directly with the US administration'
January 17, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The Brits, the most exposed to the US, still can’t quite face the implications.
Ah. Big shift.
Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP, says the approval of the EU-US trade deal should be "put on hold" in response to Trump's 10% tariff threat.
Until today, the EPP, the largest group in the European Parliament, wanted to move forward with ratification despite the Greenland tensions.
Until today, the EPP, the largest group in the European Parliament, wanted to move forward with ratification despite the Greenland tensions.
January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Ah. Big shift.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
It’s interesting how the risk awareness that dependence on US systems - be it in digital services, defence, or payment methods - has been internalised fairly quickly in Europe.
National Bank of Sweden chief says Sweden is too dependent on MasterCard and Visa and needs non-American alternatives
National Bank of Sweden chief says Sweden is too dependent on MasterCard and Visa and needs non-American alternatives
Riksbankschef Erik Thedéen: Sverige för beroende av amerikanska kreditkortsföretag - Ekot
Riksbankschef Erik Thedéen anser att Sveriges betalsystem är för beroende av amerikanska kreditkortsföretag som Mastercard och Visa.I nuläget tycker Erik ...
www.sverigesradio.se
December 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It’s interesting how the risk awareness that dependence on US systems - be it in digital services, defence, or payment methods - has been internalised fairly quickly in Europe.
National Bank of Sweden chief says Sweden is too dependent on MasterCard and Visa and needs non-American alternatives
National Bank of Sweden chief says Sweden is too dependent on MasterCard and Visa and needs non-American alternatives
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
January 17, 2026 at 6:51 PM
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
António Costa says he’s already in touch with capitals to coordinate a response to Trump’s 10% tariff threat.
“What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in the defence of international law, wherever it is. Starting in the territory of member states.”
“What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in the defence of international law, wherever it is. Starting in the territory of member states.”
January 17, 2026 at 7:13 PM
António Costa says he’s already in touch with capitals to coordinate a response to Trump’s 10% tariff threat.
“What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in the defence of international law, wherever it is. Starting in the territory of member states.”
“What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in the defence of international law, wherever it is. Starting in the territory of member states.”
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
The right reaction to Trump by the EP INTA chair @bernd-lange.bsky.social: 1) the US is in breach of the Turnberry deal: the EU cannot implement it now /1
January 17, 2026 at 7:10 PM
The right reaction to Trump by the EP INTA chair @bernd-lange.bsky.social: 1) the US is in breach of the Turnberry deal: the EU cannot implement it now /1
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
TLDR: I think the lesson for Europe is that placating to Trump - with the Turnberry trade deal - does not work, now that tariffs are deployed over Greenland.
Europe should have retaliated alongside China after Liberation Day, but it has real economic cards it can play even if it has to go alone.
Europe should have retaliated alongside China after Liberation Day, but it has real economic cards it can play even if it has to go alone.
Woah Nellie, Trump rekindles the trade war with Europe over Greenland.
The President announces 10% tariffs on France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK (yes), Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia.
The tariffs will rise to 25% on June 1st unless Greenland is sold to the US.
1/
The President announces 10% tariffs on France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK (yes), Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia.
The tariffs will rise to 25% on June 1st unless Greenland is sold to the US.
1/
January 17, 2026 at 5:35 PM
TLDR: I think the lesson for Europe is that placating to Trump - with the Turnberry trade deal - does not work, now that tariffs are deployed over Greenland.
Europe should have retaliated alongside China after Liberation Day, but it has real economic cards it can play even if it has to go alone.
Europe should have retaliated alongside China after Liberation Day, but it has real economic cards it can play even if it has to go alone.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Europe has - in technical terms - an absolute sod load of potential economic leverage over the United States.
It has turned the other cheek due to security concerns.
The US seems intent on demonstrating that it will not guarantee European security.
So Europe may start using that leverage.
It has turned the other cheek due to security concerns.
The US seems intent on demonstrating that it will not guarantee European security.
So Europe may start using that leverage.
January 17, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Europe has - in technical terms - an absolute sod load of potential economic leverage over the United States.
It has turned the other cheek due to security concerns.
The US seems intent on demonstrating that it will not guarantee European security.
So Europe may start using that leverage.
It has turned the other cheek due to security concerns.
The US seems intent on demonstrating that it will not guarantee European security.
So Europe may start using that leverage.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
First statement from Macron:
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Should they materialise, Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. In this spirit, I will speak with our European partners.”
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Should they materialise, Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. In this spirit, I will speak with our European partners.”
January 17, 2026 at 7:06 PM
First statement from Macron:
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Should they materialise, Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. In this spirit, I will speak with our European partners.”
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Should they materialise, Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. In this spirit, I will speak with our European partners.”
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
In the last few days, several groups in the European Parliament had threatened to delay the approval of the EU-US trade over in response to Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.
Now it’s even more unlikely the vote will happen under these new circumstances.
Now it’s even more unlikely the vote will happen under these new circumstances.
January 17, 2026 at 5:57 PM
In the last few days, several groups in the European Parliament had threatened to delay the approval of the EU-US trade over in response to Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.
Now it’s even more unlikely the vote will happen under these new circumstances.
Now it’s even more unlikely the vote will happen under these new circumstances.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Trump is a true Kantian. There has never been a public figure who believed so much in the persuasive power of duties.
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Trump is a true Kantian. There has never been a public figure who believed so much in the persuasive power of duties.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Lmao the tripwire sitcom deployment worked
January 17, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Lmao the tripwire sitcom deployment worked
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
The European Council president Antonio Costa is “coordinating a common response” to Trump.
Which is a step forward the usual “closely monitoring”.
Which is a step forward the usual “closely monitoring”.
January 17, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The European Council president Antonio Costa is “coordinating a common response” to Trump.
Which is a step forward the usual “closely monitoring”.
Which is a step forward the usual “closely monitoring”.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Is Europe finally about to start punching back?
Swedish PM Kristersson
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors"
Swedish PM Kristersson
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors"
January 17, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Is Europe finally about to start punching back?
Swedish PM Kristersson
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors"
Swedish PM Kristersson
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors"
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles de Gaulle screaming I BLOODY TOLD YOU SO from some rural French cemetery.
January 17, 2026 at 5:59 PM
If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles de Gaulle screaming I BLOODY TOLD YOU SO from some rural French cemetery.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Since this is about Greenland economic counter-measures may be only a (small) part of the picture.
But the lesson the EU previously drew - to placate Trump - has now been falsified.
Brussels should punch back to raise the costs for the US and get Trump to back down,
8/8
But the lesson the EU previously drew - to placate Trump - has now been falsified.
Brussels should punch back to raise the costs for the US and get Trump to back down,
8/8
January 17, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Since this is about Greenland economic counter-measures may be only a (small) part of the picture.
But the lesson the EU previously drew - to placate Trump - has now been falsified.
Brussels should punch back to raise the costs for the US and get Trump to back down,
8/8
But the lesson the EU previously drew - to placate Trump - has now been falsified.
Brussels should punch back to raise the costs for the US and get Trump to back down,
8/8
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
There's potential to stagger: the EU had a steel/aluminium retaliation package, from back in 2018, which was revived in 2025, hitting ~€25bn of US exports -- bourbon, jeans, Harley-Davidsons etc -- mirroring Trump’s Section 232 tariffs.
5/
5/
January 17, 2026 at 5:29 PM
There's potential to stagger: the EU had a steel/aluminium retaliation package, from back in 2018, which was revived in 2025, hitting ~€25bn of US exports -- bourbon, jeans, Harley-Davidsons etc -- mirroring Trump’s Section 232 tariffs.
5/
5/
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Trade policy is an EU-wide competence, given the shared market. Will Trump singling out a number of countries divide the EU or will the bloc retaliate?
Tariffs on the two indispensable EU countries, the Netherlands and all of Scandinavia sure hits a politically large bloc.
3/
Tariffs on the two indispensable EU countries, the Netherlands and all of Scandinavia sure hits a politically large bloc.
3/
January 17, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Trade policy is an EU-wide competence, given the shared market. Will Trump singling out a number of countries divide the EU or will the bloc retaliate?
Tariffs on the two indispensable EU countries, the Netherlands and all of Scandinavia sure hits a politically large bloc.
3/
Tariffs on the two indispensable EU countries, the Netherlands and all of Scandinavia sure hits a politically large bloc.
3/
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Trump likes “Donroe Doctrine” but it’s really the “Darth Vader” doctrine: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.” Whatever government thinks they've reached an agreement with the US is deluding itself. These agreements are not worth the gold embossed napkins they are written on.
January 17, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Trump likes “Donroe Doctrine” but it’s really the “Darth Vader” doctrine: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.” Whatever government thinks they've reached an agreement with the US is deluding itself. These agreements are not worth the gold embossed napkins they are written on.