World Perspectives

Spinning the WTO Wheels

India this week blocked a perfunctory motion at the WTO to move surplus WTO funds from 2021 into 2023. All other WTO members agreed that the funds could be used to cover the organization’s “mandatory and unavoidable expenses.” Reportedly, other WTO members characterized India’s obstinance as reflecting abuse of the consensus-based decision making of the organization. India covers just 2.2 percent of the organization’s funding, a paltry $4.4 million, or 0.0007 percent of its $570 billion in world trade benefits.   Granted, India is not the only member to “abuse” the consensus requirement. The organization lacks an appellate function because the U.S. continues to block it. And the dispute s...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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