The Biden Administration has thus far resisted demands by industry and agriculture to include market access in its trade policy vehicles such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The White House views cutting tariffs akin to picking a war with its key constituency, labor unions. Meanwhile, Brussels has viewed pursuing a trade agreement with the U.S. as a waste of time after the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership effort fizzled out after 2016. Now German lawmakers in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ government want to use the transatlantic Trade and Technology Council as a platform to negotiate lower tariffs. The idea is unlikely to be embraced in either Brussels or Washington, but it does present a rallying cry for businesses an...
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.