After a long break (Covid, kids), I finally took the train to a faraway workshop again. Left my house in Ghent at 7am, arriving in Trento 13 hours later. Made my powerpoint, read all the papers (well, some rather skimmed), and was treated to stunning views of the Austrian and Italian Alps. 🚆📚🏔️

Bericht voor journalisten (ik zie het vaker verschijnen):
2000 miljard € is niet gelijk aan 1,26% van het Bruto Europees Product.
2000 miljard € / 7 (aantal jaren dat het MFF loopt) is gelijk aan ongeveer 1,26% van het Bruto Europees Product.
Einde bericht.

Trump is lashing out with his favorite weapon: tariffs.

He aims to hit 3 goals: onshoring production, raising revenue and extracting concessions.

But he faces a trilemma: these goals cannot be achieved simultaneously.

@koenverhelst.bsky.social @andybounds.bsky.social @alanbeattie.bsky.social

The next two days, a workshop on the highly relevant topic of the political economy of the green transition will take place in Ghent, featuring a stellar line-up! 🌿💡 I’m looking forward to discussing many fascinating papers! #GreenTransition #PoliticalEconomy #Ghent

Trump II and trade: short 🧵 number 2:
For Trump, tariffs are like a Swiss Army Knife. They should:
- reduce trade deficits
- generate revenue to pay tax cuts
- provide diplomatic leverage (1/6)

Goed dat @de-standaard.bsky.social week na interview met Bauer kritische kanttekeningen plaatst bij oproepen voor veel hogere defensiebudgetten.
Ook in dat interview stonden vreemde kronkels, zoals deze 👇. Hoe zou Xi Putin kopiëren, door de zon dicht te draaien?
www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20250...