Awkwardness on Hong Kong President Trump says he will sign or veto legislation (the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act) approved near unanimously by the Congress depending on whether China completes a phase one trade deal with him. There are several awkward aspects to his position including: • The implication that freedom and democracy can be sacrificed by the U.S. in exchange for economic gains. • The fact that near-unanimous passage by Congress means that his veto can subsequently be easily over-ridden by that body. • The legislation already contains discretionary aspects so a veto is unnecessary. • China calls the legislation an interference in its internal affairs, but it would lead to changes in U.S. poli...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.