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Robert Wolfe

@bobwolfe.bsky.social
1.1K followers 333 following 625 posts

Professor Emeritus of Policy Studies, Queen's University, Canada. Most posts on trade policy personal website: rdwolfe.ca

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Reposted by Robert Wolfe
herman mark schwartz @thunen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
oh wow, so great! $90! sad that medicare part B premiums went up by $215 this year, and the deductible $24, and part D deductible up $25 and maximum out of pocket $100, i guess net that $90 just evaporated. meanwhile ACA net premiums are up 58% and 2.6 million people dropped coverage. WSJ 3 Oct 2026
Politics
Policy
Trump Announces Another Payment to Voters Ahead of Midterms
The president says he’ll send $90 to Medicare recipients to offset premiums, the latest financial pledge as Republicans trail in key contests
By Marianne LeVine
Oct. 3, 2026 2:34 pm ET
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Steve Craven @kekepana.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I served under a few excellent political ambassadors and a some “diplotourists”. Truthfully, my career ambassadors ranged from great to mediocre, though none plumbed diplotourist depths. Today’s diplotourism is rampant and is merely a part of the orange one’s hollowing out of the Foreign Service.
787casuara.substack.com
Diplotourists
Trump the traditionalist
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Selena Simmons-Duffin @selenasd.com · 02/10/2026
My latest: As of Oct. 1, refugees lost access to Medicaid because of H.R.1 Republicans passed last summer. "I spent these past two weeks just talking with so many of them, literally just terrorized by the reality that their children with disabilities are losing coverage" www.npr.org/2026/10/01/n...
npr.org
'It's a nightmare.' Former refugee, professor on Trump's new Medicaid policy
Starting Oct. 1, many immigrants who are here legally lose their Medicaid coverage because of the Republican budget bill passed last year.
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Agathe Demarais @agathedemarais.com · 02/10/2026
Global grain prices are surging • Intensifying fighting in Black Sea, disruptions to fertiliser shipments through Hormuz and extreme weather fuel prices • India just registered weakest monsoon season in a decade, threatening harvests and raising food-price risks www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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David Coletto @davidcoletto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
NEW CONSUMER RESEARCH from Abacus Data: Nineteen months after the trade war began, 77% of Canadians still say they are avoiding American products or buying as few as possible. This has moved from a reaction to a habit. abacusdata.ca/nineteen-mo...
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Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
President Donald Trump wants U.S. allies to unite against China’s trade tactics. He got a fresh reminder this week about how much his tariffs are making that a harder sell. Excellent G20 wrap from Milwaukee by @oliward.bsky.social and @koenverhelst.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/10...
politico.com
‘Ball and chain’: Trump's tariffs still a drag on global trade cooperation
The U.S. tried to rally countries behind its trade priorities. They rebelled.
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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 02/10/2026
Tremendous. I heard some 20-somethings at a gig once saying "ugh, that is so Aids", which was... a thing
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Douglas Irwin @douglasirwin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Lot of discussion about MFN at the recent WTO public forum.... Some thoughts (drawing on history) here: www.thefreedomfrequency.org/p/why-most-f...
thefreedomfrequency.org
Why "Most Favored Nation" Is Losing Favor
The US and Europe say the nondiscrimination ideal fails to address security and fairness—and to restrain China.
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Dartmouth Arts and Sciences @dartmouthartsci.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Canadians are voting with their feet and not coming to the U.S. and also voting with their pocketbook and not buying as many U.S. products.” Economics professor @douglasirwin.bsky.social discusses the impact of broad-sweeping U.S. tariffs on Canadian trade and declining Canadian tourism.
wcax.com
At NH winery hit by tariffs, Pappas calls for small business exemptions
Soaring diesel prices, higher costs for imported goods, and fewer visitors from Canada are hitting a winery in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
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Nikkei Asia (Official) @asia.nikkei.com · 02/10/2026
Bangladesh has ramped up purchases of U.S. goods after the February trade pact, having signed purchasing agreements worth billions of dollars for Boeing aircraft, LNG and grains, but its exports to the U.S. have yet to see a substantial boost. trib.al/ZBlpWbW
trib.al
Bangladesh's US buying spree fails to bring export benefit
Exports for crucial garment sector fall as future of February trade pact remains uncertain
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World Trade Organization @wto.org · 02/10/2026
Members take stock of latest discussions on WTO reform
dlvr.it
Members take stock of latest discussions on WTO reform
At a transparency session on 30 September, facilitators for the discussions on WTO reform reported on recent meetings among members on the four tracks of reform: foundational issues, decision- making, development and level playing field. The facilitators noted a high level of engagement with members' written and oral proposals submitted in recent weeks. They acknowledged that momentum is building across all four tracks, but substantial work remains.
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
WTO TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE OCT 1. Well, that didn’t last long. ‘Are we stuck? Yes. Are we frustrated? Yes. Are we optimistic? If I’m honest, not really’ — Norway’s ambassador Petter Ølberg, six months after the WTO chief announced work would improve. Key points from the meeting⬇️:
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
WTO members regroup in struggle to revive negotiations after long hiatus
‘Are we stuck? Yes. Are we frustrated? Yes. Are we optimistic? If I’m honest, not really’ — Norway’s ambassador Petter Ølberg
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
WTO REFORM. New from Australia on level-playing-field: how to ensure WTO rules, ● discipline measures that undermine fair competition, distort production, trade & investment flows ● preserve policy space for transparent, targeted, proportionate measures with legitimate public policy objectives ⬇️
docs.wto.org
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
an evergreen concern at #WTO @coppetainpu.bsky.social
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Tim Harford @timharford.ft.com · 30/09/2026
The sewing machine. The washing machine. The dishwasher. Which technologies truly liberate us from drudgery? as.ft.com/r/e3afdfeb-8...
as.ft.com
Liberated by technology (again)
Does the history of labour-saving inventions teach us anything about a revolution in AI?
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Stephen Walt @stephenwalt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Secretary of (Losing) Wars Hegseth rejects meritocracy. He doesn't want a military or service academies filled w/ the best people (no matter what color, gender, orientation, etc.), he wants a military that looks and thinks just like him. It's a recipe for incompetence, a topic on which he's expert.
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
WTO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS. Remember them? Periodically, the chair issues a report saying "We met, we talked, nothing has changed, we'll meet again." This time the chair says he detects "a changing mood". Will this revive the talks? Hmm... Latest report ➡️ docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
Screenshot of the main content of the liniked report: headline, subtitle and four paragraphs

1. I present this report on my own responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of delegations or to the outcome of negotiations under the mandate to establish a multilateral system of notification and registration of geographical indications (GIs) for wines and spirits (the "GI Register") in the Special Session of the Council for TRIPS.
2. Since my last written report (TN/IP/36 of 9 December 2025), I have continued my informal engagement with interested GI stakeholders. These exchanges suggest a changing mood. Some stakeholders who initially had limited awareness of the negotiations are now showing growing interest in exploring how a multilateral GI register could be useful in today's context. Their reflections take place against the background of developments in domestic and regional GI protection, trade agreements and WIPO's Lisbon System, including the Geneva Act, as well as emerging issues relating to the internet, domain names and artificial intelligence.
3. While these discussions remain exploratory, some stakeholders are working among themselves to consolidate their ideas and identify possible avenues for moving forward. They recognize that any initiative at the WTO would require engagement with the relevant authorities and WTO delegations. At this stage, no concrete proposals have emerged.
4. I also continue to consider the possibility of holding informal information-sharing sessions to help delegations reacquaint themselves with the history and context of the Special Session and take stock of relevant developments. Such an exercise could be useful, particularly given the considerable time that has elapsed since substantive negotiations last took place. I intend to maintain contact with
interested delegations and stakeholders and encourage Members to explore new ideas that could help create opportunities for renewed engagement within the existing mandate.
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Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 29/09/2026
"China has expanded overseas travel restrictions for top AI professionals in private firms to include the families of key personnel, further tightening measures designed to prevent the outflow of critical know-how and information to the U.S." www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...
japantimes.co.jp
Beijing broadens travel curbs to encompass family of top AI talent in China
That further restricts the freedom of China’s most influential tech talent — a category that encompasses entrepreneurs, researchers and executives.
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Theo Moudakis @theomoudakis.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Please enjoy my cartoon for Thursday's Toronto Star
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The 🇨🇭 Swiss Football Association has dropped its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino is Swiss. FIFA's headquarters are in Zürich. FIFA: l'ASF retire son soutien au président Gianni Infantino www.rts.ch/sport/footba...
rts.ch
FIFA : l'ASF retire son soutien à Gianni Infantino
Le Comité central de l'Association Suisse de Football (ASF) a retiré son soutien, annoncé en juin 2026, à la candidature de Gianni Infantino pour un nouveau mandat à la présidence de la FIFA. Cette dé...
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Bluesky Fanatic @blueskyfanatic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trump, "We don't need Canada!" =======================
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
WTO AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS: Stalled even on how to keep talking, they will need a huge effort if they are to start moving again. One delegation even urged negotiators to tear up their talking points because “they don’t work any more” tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/p...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
Pessimism reigns as WTO members struggle to kick-start farm talks
Back to school after the summer break, some cling to ‘mandates’ while one warns members’ talking points ‘don’t work anymore’
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Theo Moudakis @theomoudakis.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Please enjoy my cartoon for Wednesday's Toronto Star
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
can Trump's pettiness get any worse? Probably 😢
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Steven Chase @stevenchase.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Reporter's question: Will LNG Canada Phase 2 be built with Canadian steel or Chinese steel like Phase 1? PM Mark Carney: It will be for them (project owners) to decide
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
he'd have to get Trump to resign if he wanted to do that
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Micah @rincewind.run · 29/09/2026
no matter how badly donald trump loses the midterms he will never lose them as badly as he has lost canadian elections
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Cleveland Cliffs, big GOP donors, takes a hit from Trump trade policy also Stelco workers in Hamilton but Canada will not be going cap in hand to Trump any time soon
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Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is pretty cool. (Covers the 50 largest municipalities in Ontario, not just Toronto.)
votecompass.thestar.com
Vote Compass — Ontario Municipal Elections 2026 — Toronto Star
Use this interactive survey designed by political scientists to calculate your alignment with the candidate platforms.
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Danielle Smith in Alberta, please copy
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Reposted by Robert Wolfe
Jen Rubin @jenrubin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
WOW
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
what is NOT going to happen: “They’re going to come in, and they’re going to say, ‘Sir, we are sorry.’”
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Agathe Demarais @agathedemarais.com · 28/09/2026
Indonesian island of Karimun has become hub for Russian oil exports to Asia • Karimun terminal acts as entry point for Russian oil heading to Asia - with new Indonesian origin • Data show how sanctions policy is constant game of whack 'a mole to close loopholes www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
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Peterson Institute for International Economics @piie.com · 28/09/2026
Alan Wolff was the Nixon administration’s lead international trade lawyer & drafted what eventually became Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. “I have a long history with it. And it’s being misused.” Read the interview with Section 301's author:
cnn.com
Author of America’s tariff statute: Trump’s tariffs are illegal | CNN Business
Ambassador Alan Wolff says President Donald Trump’s novel implementation of America’s tariff law is illegal and runs counter to how Congress intended the presidential power to be used.
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
'Where a typical industrial product might have a few dozen suppliers, an ASML EUV has more than 100,000 parts provided by 200 principal suppliers and 2,000 companies overall." giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Industrial strategy so much harder than monetary policy, Exhibit LXIB
giftarticle.ft.com
ASML chief: ‘There is only one company making those machines’
Christophe Fouquet has built Europe’s biggest business through a total monopoly over the most advanced chipmaking equipment
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The U.S. auto industry relies heavily on Canada, which is the largest export market for American automakers—larger than the next 10 markets combined fortune.com/2026/09/25/c...
fortune.com
‘U.S. trade policy is damaging the U.S. auto industry’: Canada’s purchase of American cars hits new low as Trump’s tariffs backfire on U.S. automakers | Fortune
In one year, the U.S. share of new vehicles in Canada shrunk from 35.4% to 28.4%, new data shows.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 27/09/2026
PN is celebrating our 5th anniversary next week & to commemorate we're offering a special discounted rate on subscriptions. As an independent journalist, my work is not possible without paid subscribers. If you appreciate my coverage throughout each week, please sign up. I think you'll enjoy PN. Thx
publicnotice.co
Subscribe to Public Notice
Sign up for independent, incisive coverage of US politics and media, right in your inbox five times a week. Click to read Public Notice, by Aaron Rupar, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousan...
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Randy Boswell: “...Jason Kenney...told the CBC that the Dominion Society’s mission is ‘clearly un-Canadian, and it needs to be called out. People like me, who are on the right of centre of Canadian politics, have a special obligation to do that.’“ www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/25/o...
nationalobserver.com
Citizens must stand firm against new group touting mass deportation, supremacy of ‘Heritage Canadians’
Free speech? Sure. People are free to put up posters on utility poles expressing their views and promoting their causes — and other people offended by the vile messaging and the polarizing mission beh...
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Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Here’s a topic for discussion: why do states that fight each other also trade with each other? danieldrezner.substack.com/p/reviewing-...
danieldrezner.substack.com
Reviewing Mariya Grinberg’s Trade in War
Or, why do states that fight each other also trade with each other?
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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Room empties out at the UN as Netanyahu begins his speech.
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Kevin Hjortshøj O’Rourke @kevinhorourke.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026
This is a great rant and indicates the degree of alarm felt by journal editors who do not have the resources at present to deal with industrial scale fraud: www.markkoyama.com/p/the-new-ag...
markkoyama.com
The New Age of Academic Fraud
Or the Ottoman Election that Never was
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Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It's your stupid president's constant threats to our sovereignty and attacks on our country that did this, not our decision to respond to them. www.latimes.com/business/sto...
latimes.com
Canada's boycott forces the sale of a California winery
As California's wine industry struggles, a family-owned vineyard spanning 3,500 acres is for sale after its exports to Canada dropped 35% in a year.
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Alan Beattie @alanbeattie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Trade Secrets today. Meet Hank. Hank was doing well until Trump abolished "de minimis", the $800 tariff-free import allowance. Now Hank's one-man operation is swamped with paperwork and has to pay duties whose level isn't even clear. Hank will vote Democrat in November. as.ft.com/r/6c4f1d86-a...
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Adam Radwanski @aradwanski.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I dug a bit into Carney’s latest plans to fast-track permitting for major projects. The meatiest part is overdue, while some more marginal aspects are more questionable. www.thestar.com/business/opi...
thestar.com
Adam Radwanski: Mark Carney’s sweeping new bill gets one big thing right
Adam Radwanski writes that Mark Carney’s plan to end Canada’s five-year project approval delays is promising, but cluttered by political noise.
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Simon Lester @simonlester.com · 23/09/2026
"Trump administration to welcome up to 17,500 more White South Africans as refugees" I know there's a lot going on, but this should be a bigger deal!
cbsnews.com
Trump administration to welcome up to 17,500 more White South Africans as refugees
The Trump administration is planning to welcome up to 17,500 additional White Afrikaners from South Africa as refugees over the next 12 months, according to a notice sent to Congress.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I know we're all* numb to this by now, but it really needs to be said that any one of the batshit insane tyrant tweets from our special little boy would've led to swift efforts to remove any other previous president.
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Robert Wolfe @bobwolfe.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
and then head to Ottawa for another signing?
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Centre for Economic Policy Research @cepr.org · 09/09/2026
New CEPR #ebook! Globalization at the Crossroads: PSE-CEPR Policy Forum Keynotes Isabelle Méjean: 'Trade Policy under Geopolitical Stress' @pantras.bsky.social 'The Remains of the Trade: The US-China Trade War and its Aftermath' Gita Gopinath: 'The Third Wave: Addressing Global Imbalances' #EconSky
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Peter Ungphakorn @coppetainpu.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Here's a bold prediction. Trump will never abolish the UN. He needs the General Assembly so he can shock a global audience annually with his outrageous speeches.
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Jonathan Hepburn @hepburnjc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
WTO data shows that tariffs for certain agricultural product groups have fallen by about 50% between 1996 and 2024, namely for oilseeds, fats and oils; cereals and preparations; and animal products.
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