Worse than Trump President Trump chided that China may intentionally slow down bilateral trade negotiations until after the 2020 U.S. election, suggesting that anyone who would succeed him is viewed as more easily manipulated. However, his Democratic opponents now appear headed for an even more protectionist brand of trade policy. Trump won the Rust Belt states by mimicking Democrats’ longtime trope on trade policy but without their record of failing to walk the talk. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has issued a protectionist trade policy plan that is likely to light up the two Democratic debates scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Warren says she would force renegotiation of all existing trade agreements to add in all manner of pr...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.