The Trump Administration started a more robust process of conditioning the offer of nonreciprocal import tariff relief to developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Now the incoming Biden Administration says it will carefully way trade concessions based on labor practices, environmental protection, and other goals. There is bipartisan support in Congress for stronger conditionality. However, there may be less impact on food and agriculture. First, most reduced tariffs under GSP benefit industrial goods, particularly inputs used by U.S. manufacturers. Second, the U.S. only imports food from some select developing countries. For example, just 2 percent of food imports originate from Sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 10...
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.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...