World Perspectives

Sino-American Mirage; Eye for an Eye; Product Confusion

Sino-American Mirage (Shèn jĭng) The reports out of Beijing are that U.S. and Chinese negotiators have made great progress in their trade talks, enough to extend them for a day. China continues to make positive gestures like soybean purchases and new biotech trait approvals (canola, corn and soybeans). The Americans claim to have hard ambitions when it comes to the Middle Kingdom’s necessary structural changes and will insist on an enforcement mechanism with appropriate punishments for failure. It is a complicated negotiation, but past is likely prologue. Biotech traits were last approved in July 2017, and then it was only due to intensive pressure from Washington. Beijing is highly paternalistic regarding its economy, which...

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.445/bushel, up $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.0775/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.5225/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $298.4/short ton, up $0.2 from...

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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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