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PB Video Analysis: What Chance a US-UK Free Trade Deal

PB Video Analysis: What Chance a US-UK Free Trade Deal

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Brexit is approaching. And with it – in President Trump’s mind – comes an opportunity for a transatlantic free trade deal, bringing together the World’s two largest English speaking democracies. Atlantacists in Britain are excited, those who believe we should be supping with the Europeans are scared. But before the trigger is pulled, what are the compromises that would be needed to put together a US-UK free trade deal? Could Dr Liam Fox get something in place before the 2020…

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PB Video Analysis: Will Donald Trump be Re-Elected in 2020?

PB Video Analysis: Will Donald Trump be Re-Elected in 2020?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdakzE5R9n8 So, after many economics and finance related posts, I thought why not do a politics one? It’s a simple question: will President Trump be re-elected in 2020? But while the answer will – Schrodinger’s cat-like – resolve itself when the box is opened in two years time, for now the answer is unknowable. Which is the stronger force: an improving economy or the drip, drip of scandals? What matters more: who the Democrats choose or whether inflation returns? And…

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PB Video Analysis: How To End Illegal Immigration

PB Video Analysis: How To End Illegal Immigration

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OK, call me Amerocentric, but this video is really all about the US and illegal immigration. Specifically, in the US more than 3% of people are illegal immigrants, more than twice the level of the UK, four times that of Switzerland, and something absurd relative to Norway. Now, the US has poor people on its Southern border – but probably fewer than Europe has on its. Mexico is as rich as Turkey, and a lot richer than – for example…

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PB Video Analysis: Five Things That Will Surprise You

PB Video Analysis: Five Things That Will Surprise You

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https://youtu.be/OCOFYFDLWic We’re all routinely wrong. Mostly that’s because we’re simply don’t know any better. But increasingly it’s the result of us reading things on Facebook, Twitter, and the like that push persuasive narratives. The stories make sense, so we believe them. But all too often, the data and stories don’t match. And when they don’t… well, our first instinct is to discard the data, looking for reasons why it’s not true. So this video looks at five things where reality…

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PB Video Analysis: How Bad Is The US-China Trade Deficit?

PB Video Analysis: How Bad Is The US-China Trade Deficit?

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The US runs a trade deficit with China of $375bn. It’s a staggering number, larger than the economies of Ireland or Israel. Little wonder than Donald Trump frets that the US is being taken advantage of. But how meaningful are bilateral trade numbers anyway? Should governments aim to balance volumes of trade with other countries, or is it all a bit irrelevant? And if you impose tariffs on countries with whom you have deficits, will your overall balance of trade…

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PB Video Analysis: The Future’s Bright. The Future’s Not Coal.

PB Video Analysis: The Future’s Bright. The Future’s Not Coal.

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You flick a switch, and there’s light. Few of us think about how electricity is generated, and how strange and wonderful ubiquitous power is. But beneath that steady service, changes are happening. Coal, which used to dominate electricity production worldwide, is now in retreat almost anywhere, replaced by renewables and natural gas. Some blame overzealous environmental legislation. Others blame subsidies for solar and wind. The truth is… shocking… (And please click the funny YouTube button above to subscribe!) Robert Smithson…

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PB Video Analysis: Brexit – What Does “No Deal”Actually Mean?

PB Video Analysis: Brexit – What Does “No Deal”Actually Mean?

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The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29th 2019. With Mrs May’s Chequers deal rejected by the Commons, and no obvious alternative on the table, leaving the EU with No Deal and previous little preparation is looking increasingly likely. In this video, I ask ask what the consequences would be. Would food become scarce? Would the economy collapse? Or is this just another example of Project Fear? (And please click the funny YouTube button above to subscribe!)…

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PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

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So: Brexit. I’ve artfully avoided addressing it in my videos so far, but the time has come. Today’s video is about Brexit. Specifically, it addresses the process through which Britain joined the EEC, and then asks what the UK government actually wants from negotiations. Why have there been all these gyrations, when the EU has proposed a CETA/South Korea type relationship already? Be warned: this video will be equally annoying to Remainers and Leavers. Robert Smithson Robert tweets as ‘@MarketWarbles’…

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