World Perspectives

Bitter Problem; Blatant Nationalism

Bitter Problem The U.S. sugar program is an protectionist abomination emanating from a political deal in the 1981 farm bill. Unlike other crops that are subsidized directly by the government, sugar erects restrictive import quotas and then forces American consumers to pay 2-3 times the world price. It is justified on the basis that Europe and other countries subsidize their own sugar production, though that argument has weakened over the years. Opponents of U.S. sugar policy have fought against it for decades, with zero progress to show.  The latest knight to come along in pursuit of reform is Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire). She is not seeking its elimination but cites a report by the Government Accountability Office sugges...

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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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