Target Europe The frustration with Europe in the Trump Administration is palpable. China has been viewed as unfair competition but out of design. It was a poorer country overly granted concessions that must now be clawed back. By contrast, Europe is viewed as manipulative, taking what should be a balanced relationship but creating rules to the disfavor of U.S. suppliers. In a podcast for USDA, USTR Robert Lighthizer complained that Europe has put up barriers to U.S. agricultural trade and, “We have to change that.” Moreover, he thinks the aggressiveness of Trump trade policy has empowered his ability to negotiate because now, “No one thinks we're bluffing.” With China, the Trump Administration’s opponen...
The U.S. and Iran announced a framework peace deal. Crude oil futures dropped to $83.08, the lowest since early March. The breakthrough comes as President Trump said that if Iran failed to reach a deal, he would order renewed military attacks. An LNG tanker chartered by India’s Petronet c...
Vessel supplies in the tanker sector are tightening as vessels are “disappearing” from the position list. There is some indication that the position list on both sides of the Suez is “wanting” right now and many are expecting an uptick in rates. There is an odd lack of t...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.