Jokes on Me On 18 October we chided WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (DG) for seeking to instead lead the World Social Organization. The WTO is failing to move forward on trade issues and so she is trying to use potentially stronger interest in tangential topics like climate change/sustainability and EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) to leverage change in trade policy. We were not alone. South American and Asian envoys complained that the DG was advancing transatlantic proposals and wading into topics unrelated to trade and already being managed by other international organizations. She needs to focus on the Doha agenda topics already agreed to by consensus. In truth, even the Doha agenda has by consensus been hijacked...
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
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.