George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Lets be honest, its more like this...static.klipy.comSpongebob: Art Thou Feeling It Now Mr. Krabs?ALT: Spongebob: Art Thou Feeling It Now Mr. Krabs? 010
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 24/04/20264/4 Check it out! Links are: Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j1g... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4Sob... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...open.spotify.comThis Week in Trade #6: Growth Downgrades, AI Trade Walls, and CBAM 010
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 24/04/20263/4 Meanwhile, the EU is building a heavy industry fortress. Starting in July 2026, importers will face a massive 50% out-of-quota duty on steel and strict "melt and pour" proof-of-origin rules. Add in the draft expansion of the EU's carbon tax (CBAM). 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 24/04/20262/4 The IMF downgraded 2026 global growth to 3.1%, warning that rising restrictions are actively worsening output. The US-China tech war is escalating into a legislative arms race. 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 24/04/20261/4 @explaintrade.com and I have started a podcast (no, its not two guys with a microphone). Rather its a 5min bitesize snap of the world. 🎙️ Episode 6 of 'This Week in Trade' is out! Tune in to our latest podcast as we unpack the structural shifts fracturing global trade. Links at the end 👇 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Can confirm. One room a session seems to be about as far as we can go....media.tenor.coma man in a suit and tie is holding a fireball and says fireballALT: a man in a suit and tie is holding a fireball and says fireball 120
Reposted by George RiddellSimon Lester @simonlester.com · 25/06/2025UK joining the MPIA (alternative to the non-functioning WTO Appellate Body). Nice rule of law development. H/T @georgeriddell.bsky.social 2246
Reposted by George RiddellSam Lowe @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social · 04/06/2025Trade war final boss: Pikachu h/t @georgeriddell.bsky.social www.cbp.gov/trade/priori... 3282
Reposted by George RiddellAnna Jerzewska @annajerzewska.bsky.social · 20/01/2025That's still not how tariffs work... 4384
Reposted by George RiddellAlan Beattie @alanbeattie.bsky.social · 20/01/2025EU updates a trade deal with Mexico on Friday, relaunches talks with Malaysia this morning and files a WTO case against China this afternoon. Some nice optics of standing up for rules-based trade, no matter what effect they have in the end. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...ec.europa.euEU challenges China at WTO on royalties for EU high-tech sectorThe European Commission has requested consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) aiming to remove unfair and illegal trade practices by China in the sphere of intellectual property. 19636
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 11/12/2024I'll take the blame for that one.media.tenor.coma cartoon dog says squirrel to a man in glassesALT: a cartoon dog says squirrel to a man in glasses 140
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 06/12/2024Very kind of @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social to include a link to my write-up of the recent Harley-Davidson ECJ ruling and why it matters in a trade war for businesses - the topic of this week's substack. 031
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 05/12/2024Will be significant if final agreement is reached after 20 years of negotiations. 000
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024We're into vibes based trade policy - where does a product "feel" like it comes from. Predictability definitely been jettisoned. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024media.tenor.coma woman in a red shirt says " don t make that face you love it "ALT: a woman in a red shirt says " don t make that face you love it " 000
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Agree entirely - definitely hasn't landed. Interested in what you think the potential sustainability points are? See one angle that you could argue for shifting production based on sustainability factors as a primary reason. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Agree, not that I've seen in the US. Would be interesting to see if it becomes an issue more than circumvention through other jurisdictions like Mexico where there's been pressure to match US tariffs. 020
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024You can see where they've pulled from previous subsidies text at the WTO and FTAs. Including how they schedule non-conforming measures which is straight from services texts. What's your take? 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024It makes by brain hurt? From what I can see only Iceland and Switzerland have taken SCRM commitments. Costa Rica and NZ haven't. Even then their approaches totally different. Switzerland has done an aggregated figure while Iceland disaggregates at a product level. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Cautiously optimistic 🤞 However, still many steps to go between finalising an agreement and businesses actually getting to use it. 020
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/20245/ And careful on the comms! Saying that you're relocating production because of higher tariffs could land you in trouble. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/20244/ Build the business case for relocation which doesn't factor into account the lower tariffs. This would need to be robust and "objective" taking into account location, fixed costs, labour, political and regulatory environment. Lots to consider when building an evidence base. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/20243/ Then no matter where a product is produced, it will be deemed to have "originated" for customs purposes from the original country which has had the higher tariffs imposed on it. So what could companies do? 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/20242/ Main point is around what justifications can businesses use if they're looking to re-locate in order to shift production to avoid higher tariffs. EU has said that if (based on objective factors) the "primary or predominant purpose" of the relocation is to circumvent the additional duties... 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Been delving into Harley-Davidson v Commission ECJ ruling from last week. Huge implications for how companies respond to potential US tariffs and retaliation from the EU. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...eur-lex.europa.euEUR-Lex - 62023CJ0297 - EN - EUR-LexLog inEnglish 269
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024media.tenor.coma woman wearing a green shirt and a hat is pointing at the cameraALT: a woman wearing a green shirt and a hat is pointing at the camera 020
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024So you can wear it as a hat?media.tenor.coma salmon is laying on top of a counter next to a stove .ALT: a salmon is laying on top of a counter next to a stove . 030
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Just because you can, do you ever question whether you should? 210
Reposted by George RiddellRob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 02/12/2024Amazing snippet via the Soapbox newsletter about a firm using 'de minimis' rules to export a helicopter to the US 023
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/2024I know what you'll be getting for Christmas now @explaintrade.com... It's a problem though - I don't think I own any plain socks. 010
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20248/ Shameless plug - we have a newsletter which can deliver this straight to your inbox every fortnight. info.ey.com/UKI-UK-FO-20...info.ey.comEY 000
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20247/ Meanwhile, the EU has formally initiated dispute settlement proceedings at the WTO over China’s provisional anti-dumping measures imposed by China on imports of European brandy. 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20246/ Amid news that the EU-China talks for a negotiated settlement to EU's EV AS duties not going well. China’s has said that it is expanding the scope of its AS investigation into dairy products from the EU to cover more EU subsidies and programs in Denmark, France, Italy and the Netherlands. 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20245/ While ACCTS still needs to enter into force - its a great step forward and its hoped that more countries will join in due course. Certainly a bright spot against the current backdrop for those trading renewable energy and other environmental products. 210
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20244/ Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland signed the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability. The agreement is the first of its kind to contain legally-binding commitments on trade and environmental issues. 110
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20243/ Customs authorities from both Switzerland and Germany have issued new guidance for companies using the PEM Convention preferential rules of origin. Revised RoOs were due to be introduced from 1 January 2025. However, not everyone is ready. This means a parallel system will be in place for 2025. 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20242/ Here are some other things: New EU Forced Labour regs. Last week, the Council of the EU adopted a new regulation prohibiting products in the EU made using forced labour. While it won't start until 2027, businesses need to be looking at their supply chain now, with linkage across to CSDDD. 100
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 28/11/20241/ Its so lovely re-encountering lots of trade folk on here that I'd lost touch with since the exodus from the other site and meeting new people! Its a bewildering task keeping up with the world of trade and (understandably) huge focus on the prospects of new US tariffs. But lots else on. 130
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 25/11/2024Could just be a sign to throw in the towel this week and start again next week? Currently have no search functionality in my Outlook 😐 120
George Riddell @georgeriddell.bsky.social · 25/11/2024Big question is are you going to learn to tie a bow-tie? 110