World Perspectives

Bilateral Bungling; Inexplicable Productivity; Geopolitical Outlook

Bilateral Bungling The WTO Ministerial starts this weekend in Buenos Aires, but no major outcome is expected since the U.S. is supposedly focused on bilateral agreements. However, that focus doesn’t seem to be in much better shape than the WTO process. Japan just completed a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, something that will help European farmers ship more of their products into Busan, but Tokyo has rebuffed the Trump administration’s request for trade negotiations. Then there is South Korea, which has an FTA with the U.S. However, that is littered with high tariffs on beef, rice and other products. Yet representatives from Seoul are trying to convince Washington that the status quo is good while deflecting attention t...

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Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.415/bushel, up $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.3575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.47/bushel, up $0.1325 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $328.4/short ton, up $7.4 fr...

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Livestock Roundup: Making Sense of Cattle Markets

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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