The Trump Administration’s approach to trade policy can be characterized as power politics. It has withdrawn the benefit of accessing the large American market to coerce improved terms of trade. In its current effort to reform the use of special and differential (S&D) treatment in the WTO, it has used the more traditional approach of intellectual persuasion. USTR Robert Lighthizer is personally meeting with beneficiary countries and asking them to forgo S&D treatment in future negotiations (not past agreements). Since the poorest of countries have defended S&D for all including advanced economies, one would have expected a threat to deny S&D to all countries unless the smaller subset of more advanced countries agrees t...
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...
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.