World Perspectives

USTR Sleeps Too Much; Weird Trade Obligations; War Profiteering

USTR Sleeps Too Much With hearings before House and Senate trade panels over the next two days, USTR Katherine Tai suddenly says she has “serious concerns” about Mexico’s energy policies. She reportedly did not arrive at those “concerns” until pushed by members of Congress representing the energy sector. This slough-like approach to trade problems mimics the lag in U.S. national security policy responding to what was a clear threat from Russia in Ukraine. All of this should concern U.S. agriculture since it faces its own existential threats from Mexico and elsewhere. USTR should not have waited until 2022 to begin what Ambassador Tai says is “actively assessing” Mexico’s policies. Prior to a...

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Outlook for the Fed Meeting This Week

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week with the make-up of the committee still up in the air. Governor Lisa Cook is questionable regarding her attendance after President Trump has sought her to ouster her on mortgage frau...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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