World Perspectives

Channeling Hamilton; Gastronationalism Gone Awry; Science Reverts to Nonpartisan; Black Friday Deals

Channeling HamiltonAlexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, encouraged the Tariff Act of 1789, the Tariff Act of 1790, and the Tariff Act of 1792. He used tariffs to fund the government and protect domestic industries from British exports. President-elect Trump has pledged large tariffs on China and more recently said he would impose more tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico until they stop sending fentanyl and migrants to the U.S.  Current Treasury nominee Scott Bessent has a 3-3-3 policy: bring U.S. deficits down to 3 percent of GDP (currently 6.3 percent), lift economic growth to 3 percent (from 2.5 percent in 2023), and increase oil production by 3 million barrels/day. He has characterized the threat of tariffs...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.07/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.1675/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $9.945/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285/short ton, up $4.5 from yeste...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Steady Eddie Back to Work

It was a contrast of a mostly higher day but with new contract lows for corn and all three wheats. Corn wilted from private forecasts of big yields, and expectations of good crop conditions in contrast with slowed export inspections.  It was mostly steady on the first day of a new week wit...

Politics of Tariffs; Tariffs as a Tax

Politics of Tariffs The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington heard legal arguments last week regarding Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to circumvent Congress’s power to levy tariffs. The reported reaction of the co...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.07/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.1675/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $9.945/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285/short ton, up $4.5 from yeste...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Steady Eddie Back to Work

It was a contrast of a mostly higher day but with new contract lows for corn and all three wheats. Corn wilted from private forecasts of big yields, and expectations of good crop conditions in contrast with slowed export inspections.  It was mostly steady on the first day of a new week wit...

Politics of Tariffs; Tariffs as a Tax

Politics of Tariffs The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington heard legal arguments last week regarding Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to circumvent Congress’s power to levy tariffs. The reported reaction of the co...

USDA Reorganization

USDA has opened a comment period on its agency reorganization plan. Comments will be accepted until 26 August. The plan is similar to that of the first Trump Administration, which was widely panned by USDA personnel. One of the primary goals is to move employees out of the high-cost Washington,...

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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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