Mona Paulsen

So quick reactions, because I’m already seeing US analysts query whether the EU steel TRQs can become some kind of new steel club….and it matters how the EU plans to entrench protections… but still:

Two illegalities do not equate to legality.

Good luck building on sand.

a woman in a red dress sits on a throne with candles in the background ALT: a woman in a red dress sits on a throne with candles in the background

EU to the US — look what you made me do.

USA - historicised; "great again"; controls; bargains; property protection (Made in USA); unicorns.

China - catch-up; "powering the future"; energy infrastructure; technocratic; controlled innovation; high-tech ecosystem; process knowledge

Reading competing assessments of China's and the US' growth strategies, both analytical camps code their economic challenges with different language; share concerns for the sustainability of domestic protectionism and self-sufficiency. Uncertain futures.

Some examples below, just while reading...

Japan's dual-use screening to cover $31bn in machine tool, drone, chip exports Government ratchets up measures to prevent diversion for military use

Japan's dual-use screening to cover $31bn in machine tool, drone, chip exports
https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade/japan-s-dual-use-screening-to-cover-31bn-in-machine-tool-drone-chip-exports

EU channels Trump with tariffs to shield steel sector The European Union will take a page out of US President Donald Trump's tariff playbook on Tuesday with a plan to hike levies and slash quotas for imported steel -- to protect the bloc's struggling industry…

Today we will get 50% EU steel tariffs, aimed at tackling cheap Chinese imports.

Industry chief Stéphane Séjourné was forced to deny that the bloc is mimicking Trump in the EP yesterday evening

Honestly, we know the likely outcome of any diplomacy between Trump and Meloni might be something like, "go ahead and build more in the US to avoid the tariffs."

Making the Commission's next move slippery...

Alanis Morissette And Isnt It Ironic Dont You Think GIF ALT: Alanis Morissette And Isnt It Ironic Dont You Think GIF

While the Trump admin equates U.S. security with economic competitiveness (simultaneously blurring leverage, cronyism, and restoration), the means to these objectives all defy economic growth, creating more harm than good. But if just future-proofing the military, could have imagined less challenge.

Mona Paulsen I’m joining the race to help beat childhood cancer by taking part in GOSH family fun run and festival, RBC Race for the Kids. The money raised from this event will help build the Children’s Cancer Cen...

On October 11, 2025, my family will run in the #RBCRacefortheKids to raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), as they need new child cancer-fighting facilities.

If you have £5 to spare, I would be grateful if you could help GOSH. Please see the link: race.gosh.org/fundraisers/...

Don’t expect a farmers’ revolt to moderate Trump’s tariff campaign [FREE TO READ] US agricultural exporters could see the trade war coming — and voted for him anyway

My Trade Secrets today. Trump has annoyed farmers by provoking China to block their exports while bailing out Argentina, home of their rivals.

Are the farmers right to feel betrayed? Is a pitchfork rebellion against his tariffs coming? Will farm country turn against Trump?

Answers: no, no and no.

Remember, Brazil and the US are in consultations for the tariffs at the WTO too...

Third, we have yet to see how securitisation of trade will structure commercial considerations of private (tech) firms. Opaque, unbound, growing, it occurs simultaneously to the Trump administration building of Fortress USA, Inc. blurring responsibilities of private/public and state/commercial.

Second, it's the context that matters, which has spillover effects into bindingness and transparency. To act quickly, we see the US pursue a never-ending story that bypasses checks and balances. So it's not the abstract notion of security, but the woolly means it perpetuatally cloaks assessment.

I'd tease out a couple of points. First, the demand on governments to consider foreign policy/defence in coordination is not new, but it may be that we are seeking a ramp up of non-governmental folks (incl. firms and economists!) having to balance efficiency with security to new heights since 1990s.

Carney to return to Washington to meet Trump on trade talks WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday as trade negotiations continue and Ottawa looks for an off-ramp from tariffs hammering the Canadian steel, aluminum and automobile industries.

WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday as trade negotiations continue and Ottawa looks for an off-ramp from tariffs hammering the Canadian steel, aluminum and automobile industries.

Macron urges Brussels to protect EU industry from US, China with ‘sector by sector’ tariffs | Euractiv Europe is the only “place where we don’t protect our domestic players,” the French president said

Macron calls for sector-by-sector tariffs to counter Chinese overcapacity

“What we started with the Chinese EVs, what we follow with steel today, we have to do sector by sector.”

And one of the largest lumber councils in BC have this when you visit their site:

Ok so a few weeks ago, but this is the Canadian way of saying, Sit Down, Be Humble.

A world with two predatory superpowers Nations must work out how to contend with Trump’s America and China

Martin Wolf @financialtimes.com endorsing collective action is an idea I can get behind.

Wolf's piece may seem provocative, but I read it as nicely synthesising recent work by Posen, Newman, Farrell and others that seeks to situate current U.S. foreign economic policies.
www.ft.com/content/f836...

The newly released White House proclamation confirms Section 232 tariffs on lumber and derivative products. Paragraph 5 confirms that while the US has enough materials and capacity to meet demand… | ... The newly released White House proclamation confirms Section 232 tariffs on lumber and derivative products. Paragraph 5 confirms that while the US has enough materials and capacity to meet demand, US...

I had a lot to say over two posts about the lumber tariffs, no blog this time, just over on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/posts/mppaul...

Ethiopia’s WTO accession process enters decisive phase Speaking at the sixth meeting of the Working Party on Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO on 26 September, Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Trade Negotiator, Kassahun Gofe Balami, said that Ethiopia’s accession “has entered a decisive phase”. He also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meeting the requirements for Ethiopia to join the WTO at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026.

Ethiopia’s WTO accession process enters decisive phase #WTOaccessions

I loved when sitcoms would have that one episode of highlights to give the writers a break.

I believe these form part of derivatives of wood supply chains.

Thank you for your donation!

#RBCRunfortheKids

Mona Paulsen I’m joining the race to help beat childhood cancer by taking part in GOSH family fun run and festival, RBC Race for the Kids. The money raised from this event will help build the Children’s Cancer Cen...

Hi all, my family will run the RBC race to raise money for The Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. We would be grateful for your donation if you have anything to spare. race.gosh.org/fundraisers/...

China to impose export controls on passenger EVs in 2026 Government to launch licensing regime to 'promote healthy development'

China to impose export controls on passenger EVs in 2026
trib.al/2tjDgGA

Ultimately, security actions (which the administration deems them to be) are exceptional measures, meaning that any negotiated buyout could be subject to change.

Just ask the Canadians, Mexicans, or Koreans.

The official’s statement is as solid as the napkin it was written on.

Ok, so the ten year old asks if I’ve heard of a song called Seasons of Love from some old show called Rent.

Oh, hold the tea.

No, it certainly does not. These frameworks are not agreements. The report assumes Japan's investment pledges guarantee something.

To add, WTO Agreements do not spare Japan from increased tariffs either; they afford a way for Japan to assert harm and seek mutual agreement or concession rebalancing.