The Long Ledger: Part 3 Free Markets as Foreign Policy Trade Agreements, Capitalist Hegemony, and the Limits of Economic Freedom, 1991–2008 When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, something unusual happened in Western intellectual life: a significant number of serious people decided that history had ended. Not literally, of course, but in the sense that the great contest of organizing principles was resolved. Liberal democratic capitalism had won.

After the Cold War, free markets became foreign policy. Examine NAFTA, the Washington Consensus, China's WTO entry, and the 2008 crack in the neoliberal consensus. Does #freetrade save the world? #TheLongLedger

EU-Australien-Freihandelsabkommen: Strategische Partnerschaft für Wachstum, Rohstoffe und Stabilität Ziel ist es, die wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit auszubauen, Handelshemmnisse abzubauen und die Kooperation in Bereichen wie Außenpolitik, Forschung und nachhaltiger Entwicklung im Sinne von wirtschaftlichem Wachstum im Einklang mit Umwelt- und Sozialzielen zu vertiefen. 2024 betrug das Handelsvolumen zwischen der EU und Australien über 91 Milliarden Euro. Australien zählt die EU zu seinen wichtigsten Handelspartnern. Für die EU ist Australien bislang von geringerer wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung. Beide Seiten erwarten Impulse. Für Australien wird ein zusätzlicher wirtschaftlicher Effekt von rund 7 Milliarden US-Dollar jährlich erwartet. Die EU-Kommission rechnet damit, dass die Exporte nach Australien um bis zu ein Drittel auf etwa 17,7 Milliarden Euro jährlich steigen könnten. Australien plant, rund 99 Prozent der Zölle auf EU-Waren abzuschaffen, was jährliche Einsparungen von etwa einer Milliarde Euro ermöglicht. Besonders profitieren dürften exportorientierte Branchen wie Maschinenbau, Chemie und Automobilindustrie. Vereinfachte Standards und rechtliche Anpassungen erleichtern den Marktzugang, indem unter anderem technische Normen im Fahrzeugsektor angeglichen und bürokratische Hürden abgebaut werden. Zugleich sichert das Abkommen den Zugang zu wichtigen Rohstoffen wie Lithium und Kobalt und reduziert Abhängigkeiten, etwa von China. In sensiblen Bereichen wie der Landwirtschaft beschränkt die EU die Einfuhr australischer Agrarprodukte durch Quoten, um Wettbewerbsdruck zu begrenzen. Schutzmechanismen erlauben bei Marktstörungen die Wiedereinführung von Zöllen. Das Abkommen umfasst zudem Dienstleistungen, Investitionen und regulatorische Zusammenarbeit. Unter anderem sollen Berufsabschlüsse gegenseitig anerkannt werden. Nach juristischer Ausarbeitung muss es noch von den Parlamenten der EU, ihrer Mitgliedstaaten sowie Australiens ratifiziert werden.

25. März 2026 – Am 24. März 2026 schlossen die Europäische Union (EU) und Australien die Verhandlungen über ein Freihandelsabkommen ab. Dieses baut auf der 2022 vereinbarten strategischen Partnerschaft auf und schafft die Grundlage für eine vertiefte Zusammenarbeit. #EU #Australia #FreeTrade

Australian Government Places Wine Deal at Center of Trade Strategy Government links simplified export rules to broader gains under EU free trade framework

FYI: Australian Government Places Wine Deal at Center of Trade Strategy #AustralianGovernment #WineTrade #FreeTrade #EUTreaty #ExportRules

EU and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Reshaping Wine Exports Agreement eliminates tariffs, protects European wine names, and opens new export opportunities for both regions’ producers

FYI: EU and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Reshaping Wine Exports #FreeTrade #WineExports #EUAustraliaDeal #TariffFree #EuropeanWine

European Union and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Impacting Wine Industry Agreement eliminates 5% import tariff on EU wines and strengthens protections for European geographical indications in Australian market

FYI: European Union and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Impacting Wine Industry #FreeTrade #WineIndustry #EuropeanUnion #Australia #WineLovers

The #EuropeanUnion and #Australia have concluded a landmark #freetrade agreement after eight years of negotiations, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral ties.

Mercosur, Canada Advance Free-Trade Pact Mercosur and Canada set April 2026 talks (reported Mar 27, 2026) that could affect trade for ~295m people; negotiators aim for targeted chapters with potential phased implementation.

Mercosur, Canada Advance Free-Trade Pact: Mercosur and Canada set April 2026 talks (reported Mar 27, 2026) that could affect trade for ~295m people; negotiators aim for targeted chapters with potential phased… 👈 Read full analysis #Mercosur #FreeTrade #Canada #EconomicGrowth #InternationalTrade

#Freeland was not one to bend to #Trump’s demands. She s ever #Canada in the 2018 #CUSMA #FreeTrade agreement negotiated with Mexico, USA and Canada. Trumped signed.

EU and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Reshaping Wine Exports Agreement eliminates tariffs, protects European wine names, and opens new export opportunities for both regions’ producers

EU and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Reshaping Wine Exports #FreeTrade #TradeDeal #WineExports #EuropeanWine #AustraliaWine

The Year That Donald Trump Tried—and Failed—to Kill Free Trade #FreeTrade

European Union and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Impacting Wine Industry Agreement eliminates 5% import tariff on EU wines and strengthens protections for European geographical indications in Australian market

European Union and Australia Finalize Free Trade Deal Impacting Wine Industry #FreeTrade #WineIndustry #EUAustraliaDeal #GeographicalIndications #TradeAgreements

#Australia and the #EuropeanUnion have signed a #FreeTrade deal. 📄 ❤️ 😎 👍

(News article in link, link to EU article here: commission.europa.eu/topics/trade... ; AU govt announcement here: www.pm.gov.au/media/austra...)

the contemptible Stephen "Steve" Moore plies his oily, slimy, lethal #freetrade trade. #cspan #washingtonjournal
www.c-span.org/program/wash...

Free Trade with MERCOSUR: An attractive opportunity for the UK? After a negotiation process characterised by long periods of stagnations and disagreements, on the 17th of January, a Partnership Agreement was signed between the European Union and the four founding ...

"An initial look at the goods trade data shows that MERCOSUR is likely to be an attractive opportunity for certain UK industries" - @mtongkoecklin.bsky.social pens this UKTPO blog: www.uktpo.org/2026/03/03/f...

#InternationalTrade #TradePolicy #FreeTrade

Australian signs free trade agreement with the EU - ABC listen The Prime Minister says its a landmark deal, 8 years in the making.

The #freetrade agreement between the EU and Australia is a great move forward. At least we know, who has to pay the tariffs. #Auspol www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Text on background reads, Public consultations on Canada’s 15th Annual Report on Human Rights and #FreeTrade between #Canada and #Colombia

Time is running out to participate in the consultations for Canada’s 15th Annual Report on Human Rights and #FreeTrade between #Canada and #Colombia ⏳
🇨🇦🇨🇴 Join the discussion now ow.ly/Y42450Ywoni

Original post on movimientos.social

As the World Trade Organization (WTO) prepares for its 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, this March, we must confront the troubling reality of its impact on global trade. Established to facilitate free trade, the #WTO has only intensified poverty and inequality worldwide. We are […]

Free Trade NGO leader to share experience and network with Portuguese food producers Denis and Carol Bergin based in Tavira asked me to share this information. Sue Hall In Loco, a development agency based in São Brás de Alportel, Portugal and other local partners will host an in-person session with Mathew John, a leading international practitioner in product development and marketing on Monday, 23 March at 18:00.  Early 2026 extended inclement weather has directly affected Portuguese producers, exacerbating longer-term changes in rural life and complicating access to new markets, particularly among the foreigner communities crucial to the Algarve and Alentejo economies.

Meet Matthew John while he is in Portugal. Free Trade International Practitioner. Monday, 23 March at 18:00 at In Loco in Sao Bras
#FreeTrade #Growing #Portugal #Algarve

🇨🇦 Tell #Trump we'll help if he commits to #Freetrade. Make him sign first and then only pretend to show up and do all that we can to sabotage #Trump while benefitting #Canada and our allies. If #Trump complains, blame him for the problem. Classic abuser structure with tables turned.
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Did the NAFTA Era Steal Years from America’s Working Class❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️
#LifeExpectancy #TradePolicy #NAFTA #FactoryTowns #GlobalEconomy #Mortality #Manufacturing #USWorkers #USMCA #DeathsOfDespair #LifeYearsLost #RustBelt #Globalization #FreeTrade #TradeShocks

Did the NAFTA Era Steal Years from America’s Working Class❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️
#LifeExpectancy #TradePolicy #NAFTA #FactoryTowns #GlobalEconomy #Mortality #Manufacturing #USWorkers #USMCA #DeathsOfDespair #LifeYearsLost #RustBelt #Globalization #FreeTrade #TradeShocks

Did the NAFTA Era Steal Years from America’s Working Class❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️
#LifeExpectancy #TradePolicy #NAFTA #FactoryTowns #GlobalEconomy #Mortality #Manufacturing #USWorkers #USMCA #DeathsOfDespair #LifeYearsLost #RustBelt #Globalization #FreeTrade #TradeShocks

📣Reminder: Public consultations on Canada’s 15th Human Rights & #FreeTrade Report with #Colombia are still open

Don’t miss your chance to participate and help shape policy⬇️ ow.ly/Mcuz50YrLR1

#EuropeLiberalHour in Berlin, experts discussed how the EU–Mercosur agreement can strengthen Europe’s resilience.

#EuropeLiberalHour in Berlin, experts discussed how the EU–Mercosur agreement can strengthen Europe’s resilience.

#EuropeLiberalHour in Berlin, experts discussed how the EU–Mercosur agreement can strengthen Europe’s resilience.

#EuropeLiberalHour in Berlin, experts discussed how the EU–Mercosur agreement can strengthen Europe’s resilience.

🌍 Open markets, not protectionism: At #EuropeLiberalHour in Berlin, experts discussed how the EU–Mercosur agreement can strengthen Europe’s resilience. Key message: diversification, partnerships and rules-based trade with Latin America matter more than ever. #FreeTrade #EUMercosur

Canada signing agreement with EU to enhance free trade deal | CBC News As relations with the Trump administration remain fraught and uncertain, trade ministers from Canada and the European Union are set to sign on to a series of improvements to their bilateral trade agre...

👇🇨🇦🇪🇺 Carney's On A Roll
"Canada signing agreement with EU to enhance free trade deal" #Canada #EuropeanUnion #FreeTrade
#ManinderSidhu

What Happens To TN Work Visas If The USMCA Agreement Were To End? While the end of the USMCA free trade agreement may seem remote, it is worthwhile to consider what the implications could be. What would happen to TN visas and others?

See what would happen if the USMCA were not renewed as laid out in the Forbes artilce below.
#USMCA #Freetrade #Canada #Mexico

www.forbes.com/sites/andyjs...

Text on background reads, Public consultations on Canada’s 15th Annual Report on Human Rights and #FreeTrade between #Canada and #Colombia

Public consultations on #Canada’s 15th Human Rights & #FreeTrade Report with #Colombia are open

Share your views ⬇️
international.canada.ca/en/global-af...

#freeTrade 👊🙂‍↕️

In my latest article for #CATS Network Roundup, I discuss how the #EU–#India #FreeTrade Agreement has prompted strong reactions from the Turkish business community, which fears disadvantages for #Turkey.

www.cats-network.eu/assets/cats/...

From #freetrade champions to isolation...
Are 🇺🇲 voters interested in "tariff upheaval", as their country gets more and more sidelined under DJT ❔️ They are paying the price.