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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The EU and Canada are now taking concrete steps to significantly deepen their strategic relationship. www.politico.eu/article/eu-a... The EU is indeed "stiffening its spine", responding to Carney's call at Davos for the "middle powers" to cooperate in the face of coercion. bsky.app/profile/andr...

politico.eu

EU and Canada to announce sweeping new partnership pact

From critical raw materials to fighting wildfires, a document obtained by POLITICO reveals a wide-ranging expansion in relations.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The size and quality (concentration, uncertain returns) of the AI investment boom only serve to underline the utter folly of the US running persistent fiscal deficits of 6% of GDP. This is driving up interest rates & inflation, heightening the risk of a reversal and weakening fiscal capacity.

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ETUI @etui.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Full report 🔗 etui.org/4Mx

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... In plain sight, much of the additional cost imposed by higher energy prices on European consumers creates windfall profits in multinational companies that they immediately distribute to their shareholders. This is political poison. @isabellamweber.bsky.social

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Winter gas demand is highly temperature dependent, so Europe is a cold snap away from a further severe inflationary squeeze, on top of the current one from vehicle fuels.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

What Thucydides trap? Chimerica! Just one big happy family! Source: FT

Photo showing XI Ping and his wife and Trump and Melania all looking very grim

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ETUI @etui.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

What could a pro-worker and more democratically legitimate #trade policy look like? www.socialeurope.eu/beyond-free-... ✍ ETUI General Director @andrewwatteu.bsky.social and @etuc-ces.bsky.social Deputy General Secretary Claes-Mikael Ståhl outline four key changes to be made:

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The room is full, but you can still sign up to attend our Thursday event with i.a. Dani Rodrik online. 👇 Link at the end of the thread.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A picture to cut out and keep. If confirmed it would be the first time the CDU failed to enter a state legislature since .... ever. #Zeitenwende

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Just in case you were in any doubt about how ugly and violent the right-wing nationalists are when given space. In the UK they are intimidating and physically attacking people who give up their time and risk their lives to save people, whoever they are, who are in difficulty at sea. 🤦 #RNLI

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A word to politicians in France and elsewhere. It is possible to build coalitions between the centre and the left, including the greens and to beat the moderate and the far right. But only by checking personal vanities & maximalist positions before entering the room, focusing on the main threat.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

You don't need to be an inflation nutter to conclude that, despite his complaints, Trump has been very favourably treated by the Fed. It is arguably considerably behind the curve, particularly in view of the still very expansionary fiscal stance, with no sign of a correction.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

World, note the superpower-president's intense displeasure and resort to empty threats when the bullied middle powers deepen their econoc relations. World, you know what to do.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/competitive-... There are trade offs between the goals of a competitive, green and social Europe. But there are also synergies, and the tradeoffs can be addressed - if we are willing to change policies. My interview with the Green European Journal.

greeneuropeanjournal.eu

Competitive, Green, Social: Can Europe Have All Three?

Andrew Watt explains what the changing political landscape could mean for workers and trade unions – and for the kind of economic model Europe is building.

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Markus Marterbauer @markusmarterbauer.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Was kann Europa tun, um sich vor einer aus den USA kommenden Finanzkrise zu schützen? Die Schaffung einer sicheren, liquiden Euro-Anleihe, eines "Safe Asset", so argumentiert @andrewwatteu.bsky.social, General Director @etui.bsky.social www.socialeurope.eu/americas-fis...

socialeurope.eu

America’s Fiscal Crisis Is Europe’s Chance to Build a Treasury Market of Its Own

The EU should seize the moment to gain strategic autonomy by creating its own safe asset.

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ETUI @etui.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

What role can #TradeUnions play in shaping the new rules of the game in international #trade? 🌍 📆 Our upcoming hybrid conference, co-organised with @etuc-ces.bsky.social and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, is bringing together a number of distinguished speakers to tackle the question 👇

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It seems there will be an arithmetic majority for the centre left in Sweden, averting the threat of full participation in the next government by the right-wing nationalist Sweden Democrats. But for a working political majority the liberals and the Left Party need to bridge their differences.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... France's fiscal trajectory is of concern for the whole of Europe. Growing Interest burden, rising Bund spread (almost 1pp), sluggish growth and rising unemployment with deficits ~5% would challenge an effective government. Which France lacks. 1/2

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Mario Draghi argues for the need to invest in European data centres to enable growth and ensure sovereignty. He sees fragmentation among those European companies buying "compute" as the major obstacle to be overcome. 1/3

giftarticle.ft.com

Europe’s difficult choices on AI

Data is the one area where it can still be sovereign and it has the greatest potential to generate growth

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

If this result is confirmed - specifically that the left-nationalist BSW crosses the 5% threshold - I would expect that the AfD governs with tolerance/support by/from BSW. Unpopular opinion: I think this is preferable to cobbling together a shaky anti-AfD coalition. Populists need to visibly fail.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Where to even start with this? 👇 It's not the individual delirium that shocks but the collective failure of US American institutions to rein him in.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

EU Commission VP @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu is absolutely right to call for "audacious" new measures to finance Europe's huge investment needs. www.politico.eu/article/eu-g... If govts are not willing to up their budget contributions, the best way is EU debt serviced with new own resources. 1/2

politico.eu

Teresa Ribera floats oil tax, joint debt or bigger budget to climate-proof Europe

The EU green transition chief says the bloc must start thinking about how to afford the challenges of a warmer world.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

No historical event is far enough in the past that it cannot be (ab)used to manufacture modern-day resentments, serving some political purpose (usually: distracting from much more pressing injustices).

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Persistent fiscal deficits and rising Treasury yields aren’t just a problem for the US — the backwash heads straight across the Atlantic. Here is why Washington’s unsustainable path creates an opening for Europe to finally build its own sovereign safe asset market: 🧵 (Link to full text at end) 1/5

Comparison of US and Euro Area deficit ratios since 2004

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Maybe just the start? Carney's important speech calling for the "middle powers" to seek closer cooperation and integration has unfortunately drifted out of the spotlight. The EU needs to stiffen its spine and stand with Canada as it faces economic coercion. Much to gain for both sides beyond music.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The conclusion from this polling can be stated more precisely. Mélenchon has no chance against Le Pen. If the centre left and centre right put forward multiple candidates and JLM pips them in 1st round, Le Pen is President. The only way to stop her is a pre-election agreement in the centre.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Almost exactly the same result in Iceland as the #Brexit referendum 10 years ago. Late surge for staying out/leaving compared to polls. 🙄

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Wonderful on many levels. Recommended start to your day.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Unpopular opinion: Warsh is broadly right about this. US inflation sticky above target, labour market in decent shape, long-end interest rates rising, and - the crucial point - fiscal policy extremely expansionary, with 5-6% deficits as far as the eye can see giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... 1/2

giftarticle.ft.com

Kevin Warsh says Fed will have ‘work to do’ if inflation does not fall soon

Central bank chair signals rising concerns over persistently elevated price increases

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The lesson of history is that the relationship between what is now called globalisation and peace is complex and contradictory. It does create interdependencies between nations and interwoven lives of people that serve as "bonds of peace", making war more costly and less conscionable. 1/4

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

There is much in M. Draghi's 2024 Report - less, though, in the way it has been (ab)used politically - that deserves support. His founding a group to revitalise the European model is, in that sense, welcome. But, as Alberto Alemanno notes, the composition of the Rhine Group raises concerns. 1/3

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ETUI @etui.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#GenderEquality in the EU This report takes stock of where the EU stands, and where it must go next It aims to: 🔎 Assess the progress made 🔎 Identify persistent and emerging gaps 🔎 Propose effective strategies for achieving lasting change 🔗 etui.org/43o

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The fact that the EU current account went into deficit in Q2 is not in itself concerning as this reflects the sudden rise in energy prices (EU exports increased). It is merely yet another reminder that the EU should (have) do(ne) more to invest in renewables. 1/2

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The latest revisions to GDP data - measuring GDP is a lot messier a process than most imagine - paint the country's economic travails in a considerably milder light than previously thought. @sdullien.bsky.social has a good overview: substack.com/inbox/post/2... This will push up EU figures slightly.

substack.com

Honey, I shrunk the German crisis

Large GDP revision shows Germany’s plight in a gentler light

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

It is completely absurd to believe that the way to draw lessons from and tone for the Holocaust is to support a state based on the idea of ethnic supremacy, whose leading figures and institutions openly advocate elimination. Just what does bien-pensant European opinion still need to see and hear?

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Important initiative: the Austrian, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish finance ministers call jointly for a windfall profit tax on oil companies. Only way to finance needed measures to restrain inflation and ease real income losses without unduly weakening the fiscal position.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I have long argued that one reason the US has outpaced Europe has been the willingness under successive presidents to run large fiscal deficits.The US hasn't met the Maastricht 3% deficit limit since 2008 (ex, just, in 2014/15). On average ⬆️ 6% of GDP. But now Europe is directly threatened. 1/10

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

www.economist.com/finance-and-... Jaw-dropping anonymous attack on @dacemoglumit.bsky.social in The Economist. A Nobel Prize doesnt preclude criticism. But it does entitle the holder to a serious analysis of their work and not this hodge-podge. 1/2

economist.com

The world’s most influential economist is oddly unconvincing

Daron Acemoglu is revered. Why?

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#Tesla has managed to break the three-year strike in its Swedish repair shops. Musk was clearly willing to pay any price to keep the (famously cooperative and productivity-oriented) metalworkers union out. www.industriall-union.org/if-metall-en... For background see: www.etui.org/publications...

industriall-union.org

IF Metall Ends Industrial Action Against Tesla Today

Learn how IF Metall ends industrial action against Tesla as the company buys out striking members, reshaping labor relations.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The problem is not that China is producing good (electric) cars and selling them abroad. The problem is its persistent refusal to expand domestic demand such that Chinese households buy more Chinese BEVs themselves and import more goods from trading partners. China's workers need a pay rise. 1/2

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Having spoken to my brother-in-law, who's an epidemiologist, I'll drop the English understatement. It is absolutely INSANE to use AI to create new viruses and make the basic technology freely available. The potential for harm is huge. Have people forgotten Covid? Don't they see the world we live in?

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Putting the instruction booklet for creating new forms of life on the internet and expecting only good things to come of it strikes me as a tad naive.

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

www.theguardian.com/business/ng-... The $93 bn in profits made by the largest oil companies on the back of the war on Iran is double that of the same period the previous year. Way past time to claw this money back and invest it in ending our oil dependence. #econsky #renewables

theguardian.com

Revealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisis

Iran conflict windfall over three months reignites calls for companies ‘cashing in on human misery’ to pay for environmental damage

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Useful overview of interventionist economic policies in western Europe after 1945. #TakeBackControl

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The evidence from the US, where over more than a decade some states have raised the minimum wage while others have not, is clear. - Statutory MW hikes are effective in raising the wages of the low paid. - No substantial job losses. - Adjustment via higher productivity, prices &/or lower profits

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Andrew Watt @andrewwatteu.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

www.socialeurope.eu/burnhams-bre... There has been much analysis by British commentators on the Andy Burnham phenomenon. Here is an interesting take from a continental social-democratic perspective, by Laszlo Andor. 1/2

socialeurope.eu

Burnham’s Break with Thatcherism Matters for All Europe

Britain’s new Prime Minister blames four decades of neoliberalism for national malaise — and continental progressives should pay attention.

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