USTR Downgraded The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative sits inside the Executive Office of the President. No different than other offices situated under the umbrella of the White House, it serves as both a lead and a coordinator amongst the various departments and agencies. Typically, departments or agencies publicly stating a new Administration policy first obtains acquiescence from the appropriate office within the Executive Office of the President. However, it looks like trade policy has gone rogue. For the second time in as many months, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has made a major trade policy pronouncement rather than USTR Katherine Tai. This time Yellen said Europe and Japan should negotiate trade deals with the U.S. to enab...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on 1 July. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
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.