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: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
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.