232 Obfuscation With most steel and aluminum imports coming from strategic geopolitical partners, the Trump administration’s use of the Section 232 national security excuse for blocking imports is not only the wrong process, it is too narrowly targeted. The issue is much larger than just steel and aluminum. As clearly stated on Capitol Hill by the administration’s top economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, the problem is asymmetry for the U.S. in the overall global trading regime. China’s trade envoy in Geneva, Xiangchen Chang, warned of “escalating dangers” arising from the duties. Is there not also danger in China charging a 25 percent duty on automobile imports from the U.S. while America can only charge a...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
Tomorrow is the Juneteenth federal holiday, and the USDA, along with the rest of the federal government and the CME, will be closed, so the monthly Cattle on Feed report was released a day early. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity on 1 June amounted...
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.