Chinese Frenemy Donald Trump once again has caused consternation, which this time is over his characterization of China’s trade policy. Until now, he has faulted Beijing for “one-sided” and unfair trade practices. He has accused the Chinese of being currency manipulators and evil-doers of other things. Now on his official visit to the Middle Kingdom, he declares that “I don’t blame China” for taking advantage of flaws in U.S. policy. In fact, he says he has “great respect” for Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his administration has skipped opportunities to designate China as a currency manipulator. In truth, there was overstatement in each direction prior to and following Mr. Trump’s...
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
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.