World Perspectives

Whither U.S. Trade Policy

May is World Trade Month and President Biden declared last week World Trade Week. USDA described it as the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of trade to the farm sector and to the nation. However, most of the private sector free trade wonks spent the time reading former WTO official Ken Rockwell’s blistering 3,000-word expose entitled, What Went Wrong with USTR.  The indictment starts with the fact that USTR was born out of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and was charged with expanding the nation’s trade. He then highlights how far the Office has strayed from this agenda under President Biden, and specifically via the dysfunctional leadership of Katherine Tai. It is even suggested that USTR should be dissolve...

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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.

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