Talking Trade

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Monex USA Chief Economist John Min says tariffs are driving up prices on imported goods, contributing to inflation. 

“If it wasn’t for tariffs, I think we may be close to 2%, which is our goal, but we’re stuck at 3%, so there’s an effect,” he said. 

He noted the U.S. Department of the Treasury is currently collecting $30 billion per month, adding U.S. companies are the ones footing the bill. 

“Whether they’re passing on the tariffs to the consumers … about 50% of the cost is being passed on, and...

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” John Gatto of Transatlantic Strategy Group says “decades-overdue” German defense spending creates new opportunities for U.S. businesses. 

Gatto is the founder and managing director of the Milwaukee-based international business and government relations firm, which helps clients navigate the regulatory environments of the United States and Europe. 

He discusses how recent developments in U.S. foreign policy have led to changes in Germany, which is putting more funding into defense after President Donald Trump pressured it and other NATO members to contribute more to the military alliance. 

“We are pu...

The Talking Trade hosts, Sandi Siegel and Ken Wasylik, talk with Sarah Helton, Government Procurement and Trade group leader for Michael Best Strategies about the Trump administration's evolving tariff policies.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Center on Manufacturing and Productivity, the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Carroll University, and Michael Best Strategies.

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features Wisconsin Soybean Association President Doug Rebout on how U.S. tariffs impact the country’s soybean farmers.

Rebout, who also serves as the chair of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculuture, Trade and Consumer Protection board, said there’s “so much uncertainty out there in global trade.”

One of the biggest issues is China’s decision to largely stop buying soybeans from the U.S. since the country used to buy over 60% of the soybean export market, he said. China hasn’t bought anything in the last month, he added.

“Le...

 Talking Trade hosts, Sandi Siegel and Ken Wasylik discuss the overall impact of global trading and trade's role in U.S. markets with Government Analytics CEO John Pournoor.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Center on Manufacturing and Productivity, the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Carroll University, and Michael Best Strategies. 

 The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features Laura Baughman, senior fellow with Trade Partnership Worldwide, on evolving U.S. trade policy. 

Baughman, who has worked with a variety of American businesses spanning multiple sectors, says tariffs are creating major uncertainty and confusion for companies. She’s a senior staff member for the Washington, DC-based international trade and economic research firm. 

“Nobody knows what to do, nobody knows who’s going to get hit and with how much and when,” she said. “And so onsequently, all of this uncertainty is pushing a lot of costs onto companies, even t...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce President and CEO Kurt Bauer emphasizes the state’s reliance on foreign markets for exported goods amid tariff-related uncertainty. 

Bauer highlights the central role of manufacturing in Wisconsin’s economy, calling it “our economic supersector” for creating jobs and wealth in the state. It makes up 18% of state GDP, compared to 12% for the Midwest and 8% nationally. 

The discussion explores how tariffs on raw materials are impacting exporters in Wisconsin. Bauer notes “our membership is a bit divided on this,” as some companies support the Trump administration’s t...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features Sandi Siegel, president and managing director of ME Dey & Co., a Milwaukee-based customs broker. 

Siegel, typically one of the show’s co-hosts, is interviewed by fellow host Ken Wasylik, managing director of E.M. Wasylik Associates. The discussion focuses on how Siegel’s company is advising clients on navigating the uncertain tariff landscape. 

She shares insights on where tariffs stand on certain key commodities such as steel and aluminum, as well as how importers are being impacted under the current framework. 

“Everybody’s in need of working with th...

 In the latest episode of Talking Trade, Crow Holdings Industrial Vice President Jack Rabenn says a new air cargo facility set to open in Milwaukee will provide an alternative to the delays and congestion importers and exporters currently face in Chicago. 

Rabenn spoke with Talking Trade host Sandi Siegel about the new supply chain center set to open in the third quarter of next year at Milwaukee International Airport. He said under the current system, freight is trucked between Wisconsin and O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. He said that “doesn’t make sense.” 

“There's an understand...

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” British Consul General in Chicago Richard Hyde says the new trade deal between the United States and United Kingdom includes key provisions on agriculture that will benefit both countries. 

“This is something we’ve been talking about for a number of years, since we left the European Union this has been one of the big things that we’ve been trying to achieve,” Hyde said of the deal. “And it’s been challenging, and so it was a big breakthrough for us.” 

After the framework for the deal was announced earlier...

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Prof. Denis Leclerc of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University shares insights on negotiating international trade deals. 

Leclerc, who teaches cross-cultural communication and global negotiations, emphasizes the importance of building trust for developing international trade. He also raises the question of whether European countries and Canada can trust the United States as a trading partner amid ongoing tariff tensions. 

“If you don’t have that trust, where you know, we understand, we’re going to trade goods and services because it's in both’s interest, both...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Chris Wojtowicz of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center discusses the latest developments in federal tariff policy. 

Wojtowicz, an international trade consultant and chairman of the Wisconsin District Export Council, says he’s urging his clients to stay positive despite the current uncertainty. 

“The world’s not fallen or coming to an end, there are a lot of opportunities to be found out there … politics and governments and personalities and rhetoric aside, people are still looking for your solution,” he said. “So let’s lead with that.” 

He shares examples of...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Aquarius Systems President Jane Dauffenbach discusses how tariffs are impacting the North Prairie company. 

The business makes various machinery for aquatic applications, ranging from weed harvesters to excavators, transport barges and more. 

Dauffenbach says Aquarius Systems has been exporting since 1970, shipping aquatic plant harvesters to customers in Iceland’s kelp industry. Its products have now been shipped to dozens of countries across Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and elsewhere. 

“I would declare before the world, we were the first company to ever produce a marine debris collection...

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Partner Sarah Helton offers an update on the latest tariff developments. 

Helton, the practice group chair for government and trade for the advisory firm, said the recent 90-day reprieve from more substantial tariffs on most countries is giving businesses some wiggle room to adjust supply chains and other factors. 

“What a sigh of relief for a lot of companies that are impacted in a negative way by these tariffs,” she said. 

Helton noted the Trump administration has signaled that negotiations are advancing with other countr...

In the latest “Talking Trade” podcast, WEDC Chief Operating Officer Sam Rikkers discusses tariffs, export trends and how the agency helps Wisconsin businesses reach international markets. 

He touches on a recent trade mission to Mexico that was organized by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. It included a handful of businesses across agriculture, manufacturing and chemical industries. 

Rikkers called the trip “tremendously successful” for the companies, most of which had never been part of a trade mission before. 

“Mexico, as Wisconsin’s second largest trading partner, is a place that we go back to quite regularly...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Partner Sarah Helton discusses the impact new tariffs may have domestically and on major U.S. trading partners. 

Helton, the firm’s practice group chair for government procurement and trade, says President Trump’s newly enacted tariffs on steel and aluminum and other goods have created a “period of uncertainty” for the international trade landscape. 

“There hasn’t been much time for anyone to take a breath, so everyone is trying to understand exactly what is included in all these actions, what this means, what the implications a...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Monex USA Chief Economist John Min shares insights on the U.S. economy as well as global trends. 

Monex USA is an international payment services business specializing in foreign currency. 

“For the last two years, many of my colleagues and fellow industry experts and market watchers, we’ve been expecting the U.S. economy to enter a recession … I also expected a recession last year,” he said, but noted newly adjusted models predict “another solid year” domestically in 2025. 

He noted the United States has “defied” economists’ predictions as productivi...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Ben Miller of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin touts the opportunity for dairy exports to reach new markets. 

Miller, senior vice president of industry relations for the dairy business promotion group, shares insights on Wisconsin’s specialty cheese and other dairy products being shipped to markets around the world. While Canada and Mexico are the top export destinations, Miller says the group sees “a lot of growth” and opportunity in places like South Korea and China and elsewhere in Asia. 

“We at [DFW] are partnering with a variety of organizations...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Kallman Worldwide President and CEO Tom Kallman touts the prestige of U.S. medical products on the global stage. 

The interview was recorded during the recent Arab Health trade show in Dubai, where Kallman Worldwide has been organizing U.S. participation since 1995. At the time, the show included 27 American businesses — including major players such as Johnson & Johnson and GE Medical — and that’s grown to more than 400 in the 2025 conference. 

“American products are very well respected here … When you have all the money in the world, you have a lot of money...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Explore Markets Founder and Managing Partner Fredrik Udd discusses opportunities for doing business in Poland and other parts of Europe. 

Explore Markets, based in Poland, offers market research, supply chain help, export readiness assessments and other services. It works with international companies expanding operations in central and eastern Europe, as well as the Nordic nations. 

Udd touts the strength of the Polish economy, calling it a “powerhouse” for Europe in business, politics and defense. 

“It’s the land of business opportunities in Europe … development in Poland over the past 20...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” FTI Consulting Managing Director Nick Baker says trade tensions with China are “guaranteed” to escalate going forward. 

Baker, a licensed customs broker with the Washington, D.C.-based advisory firm, weighs in on the impacts of ongoing tariffs on Chinese goods. He predicted trade conflicts between the United States and China would continue to rise. 

The interview was done before the election. 

“The primary question is, how quickly, to what extent, and whether these are broad-stroke measures or more targeted,” Baker said. 

He noted Donald Trump has...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” consultant Mickeala Carter offers insights on the next U.S. farm bill and ag export trends. 

“When you’re thinking about agricultural exports and what that means for our farmers here, a lot of that now is due to U.S. ag output growing faster than domestic demand for a lot of products, and some of those products include those of importance to Wisconsin, like dairy products, meats, vegetables,” said Carter, senior director of government affairs for FTI Consulting.

She attributes a rise in international exports to rising incomes and...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” AgTrade USA CEO Robert Bishop offers insights on the global livestock market. 

Bishop, who is also the president of the Livestock Exporters Association, discusses the latest developments related to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. 

“The main country we’re concerned about right now is Turkey, they’ve cut us off because of it,” Bishop said, highlighting an October visit from a Turkish delegation that’s meant to “show them that bird flu really doesn’t affect the type of cattle that we export.” 

The podcast puts a...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features insights from ABI Research Industry Analyst James Iversen, who discusses a recent survey of U.S. and German manufacturers. 

“German and U.S. manufacturers, they have a very similar investment priority when it comes to deployment of new technology … They kind of hope to achieve the same if not very similar goals when they do end up deploying these new technologies,” he said. 

The survey found the top issue faced by both German and U.S. manufacturers is minimizing product defects, Iverson said, while American businesses are putting a greater em...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Director Brian Dranzik discusses an ongoing expansion project aimed at improving cargo shipping. 

“We’re well on our way to groundbreaking hopefully at the end of this year,” he said, adding the cargo facility will have capacity for five 747-class aircraft at any given time. “Which hopefully will provide some relief for those who are moving cargo freight from Wisconsin and northern Illinois.” 

Dranzik describes the project as “pretty uphill task” but said interest has risen over time as airport officials have ramped up messaging and engage...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features banking insights from Judith Pryor, first vice president and vice chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Board of Directors. 

EXIM Bank, created in 1934 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The bank acts as the official export credit agency of the U.S. government, providing direct loans, loan guarantees, working capital, supply chain finance guarantees and export credit insurance for U.S. businesses. 

“We’re considered sort of the bank of large exporters, right, the high-dollar items, and we do quite a bi...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” German Deputy Consul General in Chicago Gabriela Bennemann discusses the close trade relationship between the Midwest and Germany. 

She highlights the role of Germany’s consulate in the region, ranging from cultural work and services to promoting international trade in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce. 

“We as a consulate are best equipped to support the activities of the chamber on a political level,” she said. “Helping with negotiations, negotiating memoranda of understanding, or any such thing. So we work hand-in-hand.” 

Bennemann shares figures to illustrate Ger...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Carroll University School of Business Dean Tim Sullivan touts opportunities for U.S. businesses to reach foreign markets. 

Commenting on a report showing just 5% of American companies do business at the international level, Sullivan said he’s “shocked” that more businesses aren’t taking advantage of that opportunity. 

“Five percent is extremely low … You look at the size of the overseas markets, it’s just flabbergasting that it’s that low, that as Americans we just really don’t concentrate on these abundant and very accessible markets around the world,” he said.  Duration: 00:11:16

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce President and CEO Kurt Bauer discusses export challenges for companies in the state and how they’re addressing them. 

“We are still seeing a hangover effect from COVID, supply chains for some are still tangled,” he said. “But most have solved that problem. Most of our members are telling us that they have resolved supply chain challenges. Inflation, however, I still blame on COVID.” 

He tied ongoing inflation to the “trillions in government stimulus that was pumped into the economy,” adding it remains a major issue for businesses...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company co-founder and CEO Rob LoBreglio discusses his experience establishing a craft beer operation in Japan. 

“We ended up transplanting the name here, even though it’s in English and we’re in Japan,” LoBreglio said in an on-site interview at the Madison company’s brewery in Sendai within the country’s Miyagi Prefecture. “And you know, now I am happy. I was not sure about that decision, but now it seems like people are reacting well to it. It’s becoming somewhat iconic.” 

LoBreglio says fundraisi...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Global Lite Refinery CEO Sahr Lebbie discusses how he launched a palm oil refinery in Sierra Leone from his corporate base in Milwaukee. 

He shares details on the history of the business, as well as challenges he overcame on that journey. 

“One of the reasons why myself, as many other students that came to the United States to study, was in search of better opportunities,” he said. “So ultimately, when I came and I noticed some of the opportunities that the United States provides, as long as you work hard, I...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Port of Green Bay Director Dean Haen discusses the business climate in northeastern Wisconsin and an ongoing expansion project. 

“We’re serving the industries of agriculture, construction and manufacturing, so as they need raw materials, the port serves as the conduit for those commodities,” he said, noting the port ships petroleum products, diesel, ethanol, liquid asphalt, limestone, salt, coal, iron, aluminum, forestry products and more. 

The port is actively looking for new tenants, Haen said, with a goal of filling gaps in supply chains for the region. 

“Getting so...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Partner Sarah Helton weighs in on recently announced extensions to tariffs on Chinese imports, arguing the move is motivated by “both politics and strategy.” 

“This was the first concrete action that the Biden Administration has taken related to the 301 tariffs, outside of calling for comments from public stakeholders, outside of just continuing the tariffs and the exclusions in place,” she said. 

Last month’s announcement detailed coming changes to tariffs on various products such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, “critical” minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Wisconsin District Export Council Acting Chair Chris Wojtowicz discusses the latest developments in the global export landscape and how it connects to the state.  

Wojtowicz, who’s also an international trade consultant with the Small Business Development Center, said he’s seeing “a lot of continued opportunity and growth” in the ports of Superior and Duluth. 

“Around the state, we’re seeing really cool opportunities in foreign direct investment,” he said. “That’s something that we really don’t talk about quite a bit, but you know, between Japan, China’s still inves...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” UK Consul General in Chicago, Alan Gogbashian, shares insights on the post-Brexit global trade landscape and other trends. 

Trade between the United States and the UK is on the rise, he notes, as “the economic relationship is thriving” between the two nations. 

“Sitting here in the Midwest, we obviously play a major part of that — this is an economic powerhouse region, it’s a hugely diversified economy,” he said. 

Gogbashian weighs in on the ripple effects of the UK leaving the European Union, noting uncertainty following the move in early 2...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” City of Superior Planning, Economic Development & Port Director Jason Serck discusses upcoming projects at the port and broader economic trends. 

Serck, who is also president of the Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association, shares insights on commodities moving through the port, ranging from stone, coal and clay to grains and more. 

“Pretty robust here, and a good diversity of moving product and actually importing product as well,” he said. 

He also outlines a $23 million port development project overhauling a C. Reiss Company dock at the port, which received $8.3 million in...

In this week’s episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Sekula of InPro Corporation discusses global supply chain challenges and how companies are navigating them. 

Sekula is vice president of global supply chain management and safety for the Muskego-based company, which provides architectural products for commercial buildings. 

“There are a couple wars going on, there’s the Red Sea issue going on, and from an export and import perspective, it’s difficult,” he said. “But flying around to various countries … I was just in Europe, and I was just in Dubai, and in the end, you know, there might be...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Matt Umhoefer of the state Department of Transportation discusses Wisconsin’s freight plan and federal infrastructure funding. 

Umhoefer, the economic development section chief for the agency, notes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law added new items for states to add to their existing freight plans. He discusses the latest iteration of the plan and shares details on the state agency’s future work on that effort. 

He notes the law will help fund improvements to roads and bridges, upgrades to airports and maritime ports, expansions to public transit and passenger rail, and...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Jackie Bojor of the FRD Center in Bucharest, Romania, discusses opportunities in the region for Midwest companies. 

Bojor is the director of business development for the Factor Regional Development Center’s Bucharest location. The advisory firm offers consulting, market research and other services focused on entering new markets and mergers and acquisitions. 

She notes Romania is seeing more activity from American businesses and specialists in clean energy, pointing to investments in small nuclear modular reactor development from an Oregon company called NuScale Power. 

“As U.S. officials h...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Mark Rhoda-Reis of DATCP shares insights on the latest agricultural export trends and more. 

Rhoda-Reis, director of the agency’s International Agribusiness Center, says Wisconsin ag export activity in 2023 was down from the prior standout year. 

“2022 was a record year for the U.S. and for Wisconsin,” he said. “For Wisconsin it was $4.22 billion, largest on record. And whenever you go to those kinds of peaks, oftentimes it’s difficult to maintain that really high level.” 

Still, state ag exports hit $3.87 billion last year — the third largest annual total...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Rick Graber discusses the political landscape around the Russia-Ukraine war and how the conflict is affecting European economies. 

Graber, the former state Republican Party chair and current leader of the Bradley Foundation, says he differs from other Republicans who question why the United States is getting involved by providing aid to Ukraine. 

“I think there is a legitimate American interest, and I think the United States and the Biden Administration should have stepped up sooner, more quickly and more aggressively than the...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Director General Dennis Yen-Feng Lei of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago discusses U.S.-Taiwan trade relations. 

Lei focuses on trade relationships between Taiwan and Midwest states in particular, noting the country recently signed economic agreements with leaders in Michigan and Indiana, as well as educational memorandums of understanding with Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. 

“We have a very promising future, our office is trying to increase more Taiwanese companies here, and also ask more American companies to invest in Taiwan,” he said. 

Bilateral t...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” outgoing MMAC President Tim Sheehy discusses his 31-year tenure with the Milwaukee chamber and the importance of business exports. 

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce in October announced former Republican state Sen. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield will take over as the group’s president early next year. 

Sheehy said one of his most important accomplishments while leading the MMAC has been helping more Wisconsin governors and mayors to understand the competitive global environment for corporate investment, as well as related opportunities. 

“One of the things I’ve learned fr...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Djaagou-A Export founder and CEO Ognadon “Eddy” Djagou discusses his food and beverage business and U.S.-Africa trade. 

Djagou launched the company in 2017, and since then has been exporting agricultural products from the United States to African countries, with a focus on West Africa. 

“Right now, we are just working with three to five countries,” he said. “So our goal for the next five years is to extend, is to move to another country, is to, you know, have a new relationship in a new country. 

Djagou says man...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Midwest Food Products Association President Jason Culotta discusses supply chain challenges, impacts on pricing and more. 

Certain metals used in can manufacturing have been in short supply in the United States, he said, which impacts the Midwest canned food industry. The region supplies most of the U.S. canned vegetable supply,  from sweet corn to green beans. 

“We beat everyone in the world on quality, but on price … normally with labor it’s not an issue actually, surprisingly, compared to the foreign competition,” he said. “But this packaging issue, with the s...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Asian Insiders Partner Primadi Soerjosoemanto shares insights on business opportunities in Indonesia. 

As the world’s fourth most populous country, Indonesia has a growing economy that’s attracting investment from many global companies, Soerjosoemanto explained. 

He said policies advanced by the country’s government have drawn investment from around the world. As examples, he pointed to a recent law that allows more foreigners to work and live in Indonesia, as well as a new work permit for entrepreneurs. 

“For the past 10 years, the development is growing and you know, i...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Rapport International owner Wendy Pease shares insights on the translation and interpretation industry. 

The business offers written translation, spoken interpretations and other communications services for businesses, helping its customers to reach international markets. Pease discusses how technologies such as Google Translate have influenced this work. 

“When that first came out, we said ‘Oh, is Google Translate going to put us out of business?’ And it hasn’t,” she said. “It’s actually raised the demand for good translation, because now people understand that you can communicate across languages, and that there’s a w...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” co-hosts Sandi Siegel and Ken Wasylik interview Ian Coxhead, senior research fellow for the Institute of Developing Economies in Tokyo, Japan, about trade policy and Asian economics.

Coxhead, a former host of the show, shares his perspective on China’s economy, noting its central economic role for other nations in Asia. 

“Before the global financial crisis, China was doing great with all of these policies and efficiency gains. Since about 2010, a lot less growth. And this year, much, much less growth in the Chinese economy,” he said. 

He explain...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Canadian Consul General Aaron Annable shares the latest figures illustrating Canada’s trade relationship with Wisconsin. 

According to Annable, 174 Canadian companies currently operate in the state, employing more than 22,000 Wisconsin workers. Annual trade between Canada and the state reached $14.7 billion in 2022, marking a 13 percent increase from the prior year, he said. 

“This means that Canadians buy 31 percent of all foreign-bound goods produced in Wisconsin, and that’s more than the next five largest foreign markets for the state combined,” Annable said. 

Total Wisconsin exports to Canada were up 15 perc...

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Croix Valley Foods owner Damon Holter discusses the company’s history, successes and plans for future expansion. 

The Hudson-based business operates out of a 20,000-square-foot facility where it makes barbecue sauces, steak sauces, marinades, dry rubs and bloody mary seasonings.

“It’s been very successful, and we continue to thrive here in the U.S. and abroad,” Holter said. 

He highlights the company’s efforts to reach international customers after realizing “the competition in the grocery industry is really cutthroat,” with relatively small margins. After being approached by a dist...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” international trade consultant Chris Wojtowicz of the Small Business Development Center highlights resources available to companies in the state. 

“Wisconsin has a wonderful, really dynamic ecosystem of help for exporters,” he said. 

He touches on support offered by local chambers of commerce, economic development officials and state agencies such as DATCP and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. 

And he discusses the role of trade compliance experts for companies looking to reach international markets, noting the current trade landscape is becoming more complex. 

“I don’t want to scare...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Port of Milwaukee Director Jackie Carter discusses plans to develop a new cruise ship dock, commodity shipping and more. 

“We are the northernmost point that can access the Mississippi River … We can get down to the Gulf of Mexico, we can get through the seaway, so from the East Coast there’s commodities that come in,” she said. “So there’s a lot of different ways that you can get products to the heartland of America, and they can come through the Port of Milwaukee.” 

As the second-largest port on the Great La...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Rural Export Center Director Heather Ranck highlights exporting opportunities and resources for rural companies. 

This North Dakota-based national research center is part of the U.S. Commerce Department, and focuses on assisting small businesses in rural parts of the country with market research and other support. 

“There are three main barriers to exporting for rural exporters: knowledge, connections and confidence,” she said. “And you can use data to tackle all three of those … We tie in our global network of staff that are at the U.S. embassies and consulates...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity CEO Buckley Brinkman discusses how the center prepares businesses for exporting. 

He says the center’s ExporTech program helps manufacturers develop an exporting plan in 90 days that can be implemented immediately. 

“It’s really a strategic submersion, where you really get to the point where you understand, here’s my product portfolio, here are the likely targets in the world where this can be sold, and then connecting into the other resources that are available through the state or the federal government,” he said. 

...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht underlines the importance of Great Lakes shipping for the Midwest economy. 

He also highlights room for growth in the region, noting the amount of vessel traffic through these waterways could be doubled with “no operational impact” on U.S. and Canadian ports there. 

“Now, we want to do that in an economically and environmentally resilient way,” he said. “We view ourselves as stewards of the Great Lakes, and stewards of this freshwater asset.” 

Tindall-Schlicht also discusses the need for expansion, auto...

 In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Pawan Bhatnagar of Kasvu Consulting and Asian Insiders touts the strength of the Indian economy. 

He says India has “proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of the headwinds” facing global markets, pointing to inflation, the war in Ukraine and other factors. 

“India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by ‘27, surpassing Japan and Germany,” Bhatnagar said. “And just to tell you, we may have the third-largest stock market by 2030.” 

The country is expected to more than double its current DGP of $3.5 trillion to $7.5 trillio...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” MI Group Senior Advisor Terry Dittrich discusses the path ahead for rebuilding infrastructure in Ukraine. 

While the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on, Dittrich says reconstruction planning has already begun, noting “if you wait, you’ll be too late.” He shares insights from a recent conference held in Poland focused on these efforts. 

“The bottom line is, the Europeans, the Asians and to an extent, some American companies, are already in planning,” he said. “A lot of engineering, planning, design … particularly things like social housing and hospitals, schools. Very immedi...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Armada Corporate Intelligence Chief Economist Chris Kuehl discusses a recent shift in the global economic outlook. 

“If people were listening to the commentary even a few weeks ago, it was pretty doom and gloom,” Kuehl said. “It was looking at 2023 as a year of serious recession, maybe starting in first and second quarter and extending through the year.” 

But in the past several weeks, several new data points have helped to challenge that assumption, Kuehl explained. For one, he noted some information suggests global inflation had peaked in November or De...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Rebekah Sweeney of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association discusses the “recipe for success” for dairy exports in 2022. 

Sweeney, the group’s senior director of programs and policy, says last year was “an outstanding year” for U.S. dairy with more than $9.6 billion in exports. 

“That represents a 25 percent increase overall, and creates a new record both in terms of volume and value,” she said. “And I always like to say — and I really believe — that dairy processors’ success is built on a firm foundation of their commitment to quality and safety.” 

...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Orbis Corporation Senior Director of Global Logistics Mike Heindselman says trade compliance efforts need to be company-wide to be effective. 

“There’s no compliance without teamwork,” he said. “This can’t be one faction, or one department, or one functional area of a company that’s leading the charge on that. It has to be multiple areas that understand the goal, how it impacts them and why we are doing this.” 

To ensure that broad understanding, he underlines the importance of senior management buy-in as well as coordinated education. 

He...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” recently retired Trek Bicycle Corporation executive Maureen Muldoon discusses industry trends and how the company weathered COVID-19. 

Muldoon, who was the vice president of international business development for the Waterloo-based bike maker, highlights the “bike boom” seen early in the pandemic. 

“They wanted to get bikes for their kids so they could do some things outside, people were buying bikes because they were doing stay-cations, etcetera,” she said. “It ended up being that there was this sort of boom of sorts. We reacted quickly to that, we increased our [purchase or...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Asia Society Policy Institute Vice President Wendy Cutler says it’s unlikely that tariffs on Chinese goods will be lifted anytime soon. 

She discusses the recent news that tariff exclusions on several hundred products have been extended for another nine months after being set to expire at the end of last year. 

“But we’re talking about 352 products out of thousands and thousands,” she said. “And so, the exclusion relief also has been pretty minimal under the Biden administration. But I do think what you’re seeing is businesses are lea...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company President Steve Wallace discusses challenges associated with growing the Milwaukee-based chocolate business. 

The company’s products are processed and produced in Ghana, one of the world’s largest producers of cocoa. 

“Overcoming history was difficult … the politics and the economics were very much centered on getting things cheaply from this part of the world and making money with it elsewhere,” he said. 

Wallace explained his goal for decades has been to “move up the cocoa value chain.” Ghana and the Ivory Coast are the two largest c...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” former diplomat Andy Rothman of the firm Matthews Asia highlights the benefits of U.S. engagement with China and says an initially bumpy transition from strict COVID-19 protocols will improve next year.

Rothman urges continued engagement, including international investment and trade, as well as academic exchanges, partnering on innovations in science and medicine and more. 

“All of that engagement I think over the last several decades has been really, really positive for most Americans,” he said, citing positive Wisconsin trade numbers with China. “And I think it’s also been rea...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Europartnerships Managing Director Mark Dodsworth says businesses in the United Kingdom “have been hit very hard” by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and Brexit. 

“These have caused a number of serious disruptions, which have led to, for example, 11 percent inflation as of today,” he said. “Rising interest rates, exchange rate volatility, supply shortages, energy price rises, shortages of labor and consumer spending under pressure.” 

But despite these challenges, he said the U.K. economy has proved to be “fairly resilient.” After a dip in 2020, its GDP rose 7 percent in 2021, Dodsw...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Trade Acceptance Group Principal Bruce Glaub outlines the benefits of export credit insurance. 

If an exporter isn’t paid by a client, the insurer will pay out a percentage of that unpaid amount, Glaub explained. That’s useful at the international level because exporters have fewer options for recouping their losses from outside the country, he said. 

“Rather than what you do in the U.S., using the law maybe as your heavy hand, internationally, it’s great to use trade credit insurance,” he said. “That gives you the ‘stick,’ per s...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Principal Mike Dankler says a federal review of Section 301 tariffs on China could be “a sign of some tariff-liftings to come.”

Federal officials recently opened a comment period on these tariffs, and Dankler says Michael Best Strategies has been encouraging clients to apply to submit comments on this process.  

“I think there’s a lot of people hoping that they may use it to rebalance things somehow, maybe use it as pretext to reopen an exclusion process,” he said. “As we’ve been telling clients, there’s an old poli...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Mark Rhoda-Reis of DATCP discusses another potentially record-setting year for Wisconsin ag exports. 

Rhoda-Reis, the director of the agency’s International Agribusiness Center, said the state set a new record with $3.94 billion in ag exports in 2021, marking an 18 percent increase over the prior year. 

“And we’d had some challenging years, so that was good news to see,” he said. “And then year-to-date June, so our second quarter, we are already up 10 percent over that record amount. So it’s shaping up to be a strong year.” 

He gives an overvie...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Cohen Group Associate Vice President Damian Felton explains the implications of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on international commerce. 

The act aims to bolster U.S. prohibitions on importation of goods from the Xinjiang region of China, according to co-host Sandi Siegel of M.E. Dey & Co. Felton explains the law prohibits imports of any products coming from the region or any organization included on a UFLPA list of associated entities. 

“This really stems from the social programs that China is targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the X...

In the latest episode of "Talking Trade," Briggs & Stratton legal executive Jennifer Jin discusses the impact of trade sanctions on manufacturing supply chains.

Jin holds the position of senior counsel, global compliance, contract and litigation for the Wauwatosa-based manufacturer. She shares her perspective with hosts M. E. Dey & Co. President Sandi Siegel and Katie Henry, executive director of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce's World Trade Association.

She explains the importance of geopolitical changes related to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

"It's vital that companies, especially global companies, are able to respond...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” attorney lawyer Ngosong Fonkem discusses the “seismic trade shift” in global supply chains caused by sanctions on Russia. 

Fonkem, a trade compliance specialist with Chicago law firm Page Fura, notes “this is the first time since the end of the Cold War that sanctions of this magnitude” have been levied on a major global economy. Many nations including the United States have enacted sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February. 

“Russia essentially has become the most sanctioned country in the world, essentially bypassing Iran,” he said. “Bear in min...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” energy specialist Emily Pickrell highlights industries and companies likely to benefit from the federal Inflation Reduction Act. 

Pickrell is a journalist and global energy scholar at the University of Houston and currently writes about energy, politics and technology for Forbes. She says the wide-ranging legislation will benefit suppliers of electricity needed for electric vehicles, among others. 

“That’s solar and wind and battery production,” she said. “That’s where a large portion of the benefits are going.” 

She notes the legislation contains about $80 billion for certain EVs, with caveats a...

China may view Joe Biden’s presidency as an improvement over the Trump Administration according to Talking Trade’s Kelvin Ma in his discussion of the recent election with WisPolitics.com’s Jeff Mayers.

With President-elect Joe Biden developing his transition team, Talking Trade’s UW-Madison Prof. Ian Coxhead, and M. E. Dey & Co. President Sandi Siegel consider how Biden’s international trade policy might not follow his predecessor’s approach.

After the world’s largest international trade pact was signed in November, “Talking Trade” hosts Prof. Ian Coxhead and M. E. Dey & Co. President Sandi Seigel explore the treaty and why the U.S. did not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, dominated by the People’s Republic of China.

With the Biden administration come new views on international trade as “Talking Trade” hosts Prof. Ian Coxhead and M.E. Day & Co., President Sandi Siegel consider how quickly any new approaches might arise.

Talking Trade’s UW-Madison Prof. Ian Coxhead and M.E. Dey & Co., Pres. Sandi Siegel discuss changes afoot in east-west trade as Pres.-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office.

Ian Coxhead, UW-Madison professor, and Sandi Siegel, president of M. E. Dey & Co. in Milwaukee, interview Joe Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, about trends in U.S.-China agricultural trade affecting the Midwest. 

Adam Tindall-Schlicht, director of Port Milwaukee, talks with Sandi Siegel and Ian Coxhead of “Talking Trade” about new port developments.

He also talks about the port’s role in Midwest trade and how possible rail mergers may impact Wisconsin. 

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” hosts UW-Madison Professor Ian Coxhead and M.E. Dey & Co. President Sandi Spiegel discuss this season’s U.S. crop production and exports. 

The show also features Mark Rhoda-Reis, bureau director for export and business development at the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Shawn Jarosz, founder of consulting firm Trade Moves, talks about international trade issues affecting ag, organic labeling and other items with hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel.

The Talking Trade Team of Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel welcome a long-time Milwaukee business insider to add some insights into U.S. -China trade.

Business dealings with China changed during the COVID pandemic, Ulice Payne president of Addison-Clifton, a global trading firm, tells Talking Trade’s Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel, and the new normal offers new business opportunity.

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel connect with Menzie Chinn, professor of public affairs and economics with UW-Madison’s Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Their discussion highlights the impact of shifting U.S.-China relations on international trade, including investment and competition in technology production.

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel speak with Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Sitkoff, a UW-Madison grad, tells Coxhead and Siegel of about the impact of Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent visit and warns that COVID-related issues will translate into delivery problems for holiday gifts.

Talking Trade hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel visit with Jay Nash of the Madison International Trade Association and Nash Global Trade Services for a discussion of trade trends and their impact on store shelves in coming months.

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel interview Ngosong Fonkem, an Appleton native with the law firm Page Fura.

Fonkem discusses the Biden administration’s human rights-trade policies and his book, “Trade Crash.” Fonkem also chairs the International Practice Section of the Wisconsin State Bar.

It’s cranberry harvest time, and Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Executive Director Tom Lochner chats with “Talking Trade” co-hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel about this year’s crop, supply chain issues and where cranberry exports can grow.

Times are tough for international trade with snarled U.S. ports and, as Talking Trade hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel learn from Kohler Co. trade coordinator Julie Pojar, a patchwork of changing tariffs poses continued trade barriers.

The latest “Talking Trade” video podcast features Mike Dankler, trade advisor for Michael Best Strategies in Washington, D. C.

With a new trade agreement reached between the United States and the European Union, Talking Trade hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel discuss future trade and tariff issues with Dankler. 

The latest “Talking Trade” video podcast features a conversation with Will Hsu, president of Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises. 

President Trump’s trade war with China and COVID-19 were doubly harsh on Wisconsin’s ginseng trade, as Talking Trade hosts Ian Coxhead and Sandi Siegel learn from Hsu.

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” WEDC Vice President of Global Business Development Katy Sinnott highlights rising exports to some of the state’s top trade partners.

Wisconsin’s exports over the past 10 months have increased 21 percent compared to the same period of 2020, with growth seen in exports to Canada, Mexico and China, she said.

She noted pharmaceuticals and prepared vegetables shipped to Mexico have “increased by huge numbers,” while exports of medical and scientific equipment to China have also risen.

“And when we look at our top three export products, which are industrial...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features Rocío Rivera Barradas, consul of economic affairs at the General Consulate of Mexico in Chicago. 

Barradas highlights difficulties with trading with China and other Asian nations due in part to COVID-19 factors. She notes the auto industry has been struggling amid the pandemic, contrasting that with the success of the medical industry and strong Mexican beer sales in Illinois. 

Also due to the pandemic and challenges related to trading with China, Barradas says U.S. companies “are looking again to Mexico” to relocate some of their operations. 

“Here a...

The featured guest on the latest episode of “Talking Trade” is Mark Rhoda-Reis, director of the International Agribusiness Center at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. 

Rhoda-Reis gives an update on “quite a strong year” for ag products in the state. Based on year-to-date data from November, he said exports over most of 2021 were up 19 percent over the previous year. 

For the overall year, he said “we expect to be up close to that percentage amount; that’ll put us at least our 10-year record for agricultural exports.” He noted the state’s top five export ma...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features a conversation with Samantha Vortherms, an assistant professor of political science at University of California, Irvine. 

Vortherms, a 2017 graduate of UW-Madison, discusses trade relations between the United States and China with hosts M.E. Dey & Co. President Sandi Siegel and UW-Madison Professor Ian Coxhead. She highlights recent research on how trade wars impact multinational firms operating in China. 

“Tariffs do increase exits, but really it’s this broad political souring that’s pushing firms out,” she said. “And not just U.S. firms, but firms much more broadly.” 

She found that...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” a UW-Madison economist and expert on Russia provides insight into the evolving conflict with Ukraine. 

Paul Castaneda Dower is an assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics at the university and is involved with UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Russia Project. He offers his perspective on the rationale behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as how it could impact global trade. 

“Precisely because Ukraine is so close to Russia … economically, culturally, historically, politically, all these things, because they’re so close, if Ukraine is able to successfully integrate with the west an...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Visthar founder Pradeep Nedungadi highlights trade opportunities for Wisconsin companies in India. 

His company provides consultant services for businesses looking to operate in India, which is the second most populous country in the world. 

“It’s a shame that the U.S. is just discovering India as a manufacturing option, and even as a trading partner in non-manufacturing businesses, only in the last 30 years,” he said.

Unlike China, he explains India has been historically focused on domestically consumed goods rather than export products. 

“Now that the global...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Principal Mike Dankler provides an update on the latest sanctions against Russia and the effect on trade and commodity prices. 

“One area where the U.S. and EU and others haven’t really gone the full way is on energy,” he explained. “EU is just so reliant on Russian oil and gas that they can’t go too far yet without hurting themselves.” 

Dankler said it’s uncertain how long it will take for certain sanctions on Russia to have a real impact on the war in Ukraine. He n...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” international trade consultant Chris Wojtowicz discusses supply chain disruptions and potential solutions. 

Wojtowicz is part of the Small Business Development Center at the UW Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship and is the chair of the Wisconsin District Export Council. He highlights the support available for companies looking to connect with domestic and international markets. 

He also touches on some of the top challenges facing small businesses amid the pandemic recovery. 

“A lot of them are a little skittish, some of them are just straight-up gung-ho, let’s get after...

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features a conversation with David Usher, acting consul general for Canada’s Chicago Consulate. 

He talks about the consulate’s role in promoting cross-border trade and economic development in Canada as well as Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri, pointing to the “very important and robust” trade connection between Canada and Wisconsin. 

He explains Wisconsin exports about $7.5 billion in goods to Canada each year, while it imports about $5.5 billion annually. And he highlights the 189 Canadian-owned businesses in the state that employ over 22,000 Wisconsin workers. 

The discussion ranges from opportunities for Wisconsin s...

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Diane Farrell discusses the administration’s pandemic recovery efforts. 

“For those of us in the international sphere, it’s not just about building back better in the United States,” she said. “It’s about how do we strategize our economic recovery, how do we take advantage of opportunities overseas, and how are we also helping our foreign partners to recover from the global impacts of COVID.” 

Farrell also highlights agency efforts to ensure trade agreements establish a “level playing field” for U.S...