Political and Strategic Analysis Prime Minister Shinzō Abe successfully rebuffed President Donald Trump on bilateral trade negotiations for two years, but the threat of auto tariffs forced his hand. He may still be able to drag out the final outcome of what was agreed to in New York this week, although he is being asked for a near-term concession in exchange. The negotiations have been structured as two-tiered, meaning there must be some kind of announcement of success prior to the November midterm elections in the U.S. This is feasible given that Trump conceded that terms, particularly on agriculture, will not exceed those already agreed to under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). More challenging is Canada, but more important is China...
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.