China, Japan and Canada Trade Developments – or Not During an interview at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event in New York this week, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said that since China joined the WTO 17 years ago, the bilateral trade relationsip has worked out for that country but not the U.S. Lighthizer was asked about the breakthrough in new beef access last year and said: That's a great example. So we got beef back into the market – if you believe the headlines from a year ago as a result of the 100-day plan. Now, what actually did we get back in? The last time I checked it was $64 million worth of beef in the course of a year. And how much beef is actually eligible? Less than 3 percent. And then you say...
What You Need to Know Today: As was widely expected, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75–4.00 percent, its first rate increase since 2023, as policymakers respond to persistent inflation pressures. The Fed also signaled that additi...
Key Takeaways: USDA data access is equal; the ability to use it is not. Larger operations can afford experts who turn public reports into business decisions. Analytical capacity is the true advantage. Forecasts matter only when converted into profit, purchasing, and risk-management decisions...
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.