John Alty
@johnalty1.bsky.social
Ex - UK Civil servant; now at LSE; Trustee Director at Chartered Institute of Export; Competition Appeals Tribunal; NED at Trade Remedies Authority; adviser to Pagefield. Mostly trade and competition. And Liverpool FC.
My letter @thetimes.com on why it makes more sense to rejoin the EU than join their customs union or single market but stay out, which would pose major risks for the UK.
December 6, 2025 at 8:20 AM
My letter @thetimes.com on why it makes more sense to rejoin the EU than join their customs union or single market but stay out, which would pose major risks for the UK.
I have never been one to have our illusions that the EU “needs” the UK to be successful. It is much more powerful than the UK. But in the light of some of the economic policies emanating from Brussels (steel tariffs on everyone; domestic content requirements) I am starting to revise my opinion….
December 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I have never been one to have our illusions that the EU “needs” the UK to be successful. It is much more powerful than the UK. But in the light of some of the economic policies emanating from Brussels (steel tariffs on everyone; domestic content requirements) I am starting to revise my opinion….
This is also a breach of the EU’s WTO obligations as far as I can see. Or maybe the EU now thinks cars are a matter of national security. Where have I heard that before and what did the EU say about it ?
EU global competitiveness latest - "Brussels is considering setting “made in Europe” targets of up to 70 per cent for the content of certain products such as cars" - this is the Cold War 2.0 scenario except with the west diminishing behind walls. www.ft.com/content/b020...
Brussels pushes for 70% of critical goods to be ‘made in Europe’
Policy would force EU companies to buy certain products domestically in an effort to cut reliance on China
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is also a breach of the EU’s WTO obligations as far as I can see. Or maybe the EU now thinks cars are a matter of national security. Where have I heard that before and what did the EU say about it ?
Europe goes back to the 1970s: “Brussels pushes for more to be ‘made in Europe’” @financialtimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Europe goes back to the 1970s: “Brussels pushes for more to be ‘made in Europe’” @financialtimes.com
I’m sure Minouche Shafik is far too intelligent to suggest simply joining the EU Customs Union without any influence over the way it works and the tariffs it sets, which would be the only option on offer from the EU, leaving aside any financial contribution which might be needed.
December 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I’m sure Minouche Shafik is far too intelligent to suggest simply joining the EU Customs Union without any influence over the way it works and the tariffs it sets, which would be the only option on offer from the EU, leaving aside any financial contribution which might be needed.
Funeral for a friend. Pascal Lamy points the finger at himself when he criticises the Dutch Single Market Cioner for actually trying to do his job and complete the single market for services. “Politically hamfisted” means opposed by France and Germany. Championed by the UK. @financialtimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Funeral for a friend. Pascal Lamy points the finger at himself when he criticises the Dutch Single Market Cioner for actually trying to do his job and complete the single market for services. “Politically hamfisted” means opposed by France and Germany. Championed by the UK. @financialtimes.com
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk on pm programme this evening saying he wants a bespoke customs union with the EU. The only respect in which it might be bespoke is in terms of coverage. Otherwise it’s just following what the EU decides. One can argue for that, but let’s be upfront about it.
December 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk on pm programme this evening saying he wants a bespoke customs union with the EU. The only respect in which it might be bespoke is in terms of coverage. Otherwise it’s just following what the EU decides. One can argue for that, but let’s be upfront about it.
Apparently the UK budget hasn’t happened on Bluesky.
November 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Apparently the UK budget hasn’t happened on Bluesky.
We spend months telling the US what a bad idea it is to put up tariffs and then follow suit by removing the de minimis exemption. Bad policy making. More red tape, less competition, higher prices. If you are worried about the high street, cut tariffs generally on these items.
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
We spend months telling the US what a bad idea it is to put up tariffs and then follow suit by removing the de minimis exemption. Bad policy making. More red tape, less competition, higher prices. If you are worried about the high street, cut tariffs generally on these items.
Either a case of the pot calling the kettle black; or a shining example of using the multilateral trading system to address concerns about protectionism…
borderlex.net/2025/10/21/b...
borderlex.net/2025/10/21/b...
Blog: On China's WTO case against Indian electric vehicle local content requirements - Borderlex - European trade policy
China is suing India at the WTO over its domestic content rules for electric vehicle investors. The move was announced on Friday but the legal submission only circulated to the dispute settlement body...
borderlex.net
October 29, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Either a case of the pot calling the kettle black; or a shining example of using the multilateral trading system to address concerns about protectionism…
borderlex.net/2025/10/21/b...
borderlex.net/2025/10/21/b...
@alanbeattie.bsky.social Can’t you stop your fellow @financialtimes.com journalists suggesting that the Gulf trade deal, even taken with others, “would reduce the need for big tax rises” ! There is however a certain irony in the Govts position, compared with their views in Opposition.
October 29, 2025 at 8:59 AM
@alanbeattie.bsky.social Can’t you stop your fellow @financialtimes.com journalists suggesting that the Gulf trade deal, even taken with others, “would reduce the need for big tax rises” ! There is however a certain irony in the Govts position, compared with their views in Opposition.
My letter in today’s @thetimes.com on the IMF’s analysis of China’s trade surplus. Persuading China to change policy is likely to be more effective if it sees change as being in its own interest. I think the picture is more complex than this report suggests.
October 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
My letter in today’s @thetimes.com on the IMF’s analysis of China’s trade surplus. Persuading China to change policy is likely to be more effective if it sees change as being in its own interest. I think the picture is more complex than this report suggests.
As one would expect, Ignacio Bercero makes some powerful points in this article about why the EU has gone over the top in its steel protection measures. One can imagine why that might have happened of course, but it’s still depressing.
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
The EU should moderate its steel protection plan
A European Commission proposal for a tight quota and high steel tariffs risks undermining perceptions of the EU as a reliable trading partner
www.bruegel.org
October 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
As one would expect, Ignacio Bercero makes some powerful points in this article about why the EU has gone over the top in its steel protection measures. One can imagine why that might have happened of course, but it’s still depressing.
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
The EU’s steel tariffs seem to be straight from the Trump playbook: start ridiculously high then negotiate down to something slightly less crazy. Apart from the dubious precedent, let’s see how the EU machine copes with “Art of the deal” policy making. @ec.europa.eu
October 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The EU’s steel tariffs seem to be straight from the Trump playbook: start ridiculously high then negotiate down to something slightly less crazy. Apart from the dubious precedent, let’s see how the EU machine copes with “Art of the deal” policy making. @ec.europa.eu
Rereading @drodrik.bsky.social book Straight Talk about Trade from 2018. If it was relevant in 2018 then it’s even more so now. His thesis that over dogmatic defence of free trade has damaged its attraction is right, though that’s been reinforced by a decade of undue criticism.
October 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Rereading @drodrik.bsky.social book Straight Talk about Trade from 2018. If it was relevant in 2018 then it’s even more so now. His thesis that over dogmatic defence of free trade has damaged its attraction is right, though that’s been reinforced by a decade of undue criticism.
Hoping to crowd source my briefing on pharma tariffs for a visit to the US next week. What do people think it means for UK businesses exporting to the US/ EU businesses doing likewise. My recollection is that EU agreement capped pharma tariffs. @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social @davidheniguk.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Hoping to crowd source my briefing on pharma tariffs for a visit to the US next week. What do people think it means for UK businesses exporting to the US/ EU businesses doing likewise. My recollection is that EU agreement capped pharma tariffs. @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social @davidheniguk.bsky.social
Reposted by John Alty
Oh good, the FT has @inumanak.bsky.social trying to balance out the nonsense about a new US led trading order. Or indeed deglobalisation. Or the many other fashionable arguments about trade that aren't in fact happening.
on.ft.com/45z2tcZ No, Trump is not ushering in a new global trading order
August 19, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Oh good, the FT has @inumanak.bsky.social trying to balance out the nonsense about a new US led trading order. Or indeed deglobalisation. Or the many other fashionable arguments about trade that aren't in fact happening.
Interesting article in @thetimes.com suggesting HMT want to narrow list of protected species and change the precautionary principle, in both cases diverging from EU law, to make infrastructure projects easier. I recall then CSA saying UK approach to precautionary principle bound to diverge from EU.
August 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Interesting article in @thetimes.com suggesting HMT want to narrow list of protected species and change the precautionary principle, in both cases diverging from EU law, to make infrastructure projects easier. I recall then CSA saying UK approach to precautionary principle bound to diverge from EU.
“US and EU close in on 15% tariff agreement” @financialtimes.com
I look forward to all those people who excoriated the UK US deal as unprincipled, contrary to WTO rules and generally pathetic saying the same about this one, if it happens.
I look forward to all those people who excoriated the UK US deal as unprincipled, contrary to WTO rules and generally pathetic saying the same about this one, if it happens.
July 24, 2025 at 7:40 AM
“US and EU close in on 15% tariff agreement” @financialtimes.com
I look forward to all those people who excoriated the UK US deal as unprincipled, contrary to WTO rules and generally pathetic saying the same about this one, if it happens.
I look forward to all those people who excoriated the UK US deal as unprincipled, contrary to WTO rules and generally pathetic saying the same about this one, if it happens.
“a proposal to offer a credit based on the US content of a [car] company’s exports from the US that can then be applied to the content that it is importing.” EU/US trade negotiations @financialtimes.com Almost as nutty as the UK/EU deal on RoO on EVs, which exploded on contact with reality.
July 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
“a proposal to offer a credit based on the US content of a [car] company’s exports from the US that can then be applied to the content that it is importing.” EU/US trade negotiations @financialtimes.com Almost as nutty as the UK/EU deal on RoO on EVs, which exploded on contact with reality.
My letter in @financialtimes.com Thanks to my time at the UK IP Office, I hope I can contribute to the current debate on copyright and AI !
June 25, 2025 at 7:40 AM
My letter in @financialtimes.com Thanks to my time at the UK IP Office, I hope I can contribute to the current debate on copyright and AI !
“Octopus boss says net zero is in trouble — but he has a solution”
The problem is - to the man (literally) on the Clapham Omnibus - that zonal pricing sounds like making energy more expensive in London. I haven’t read anything yet which explains why not.
www.thetimes.com/article/a2a4...
The problem is - to the man (literally) on the Clapham Omnibus - that zonal pricing sounds like making energy more expensive in London. I haven’t read anything yet which explains why not.
www.thetimes.com/article/a2a4...
Octopus boss says net zero is in trouble — but he has a solution
Charge a different price for electricity in different parts of the country, says Greg Jackson, and the UK would save billions
www.thetimes.com
June 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
“Octopus boss says net zero is in trouble — but he has a solution”
The problem is - to the man (literally) on the Clapham Omnibus - that zonal pricing sounds like making energy more expensive in London. I haven’t read anything yet which explains why not.
www.thetimes.com/article/a2a4...
The problem is - to the man (literally) on the Clapham Omnibus - that zonal pricing sounds like making energy more expensive in London. I haven’t read anything yet which explains why not.
www.thetimes.com/article/a2a4...
If I was the US I would be concerned about Tata importing steel from India, where it is no doubt less expensive to produce, into the UK and then exporting it to the US after some reworking tariff free under an FTA. Minimum pricing, anyone ?
June 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
If I was the US I would be concerned about Tata importing steel from India, where it is no doubt less expensive to produce, into the UK and then exporting it to the US after some reworking tariff free under an FTA. Minimum pricing, anyone ?
Reposted by John Alty
'From Hadestown to Hercules: ancient myths are the gods’ gift to musicals'
From Hadestown to Hercules: ancient myths are the gods’ gift to musicals
Newly arrived in the West End, Disney’s demigod is the latest mythological A-lister to knock out showtunes. Why are deities such as Hermes and the ‘half-blood’ Percy Jackson having a moment in…
www.theguardian.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
'From Hadestown to Hercules: ancient myths are the gods’ gift to musicals'
I see @thetimes.com has corrected in its online version the unfortunate para in its published paper stating that Tata Steel is owned by the Chinese. Still, these foreign companies, they’re all the same I guess
June 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I see @thetimes.com has corrected in its online version the unfortunate para in its published paper stating that Tata Steel is owned by the Chinese. Still, these foreign companies, they’re all the same I guess