Talking Trade

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, as many of the clientele here do, and you’re sick or your family is sick, what do you want? You want the best care possible,” Kallman said. “And for that, the local market turns very often to the United States.” 

The conversation touches on differences in the way business is done in the Middle East, emphasizing the role of building relationships over time. Kallman notes the government of the United Arab Emirates “wants to make sure that you’re well-vetted and serious about being here” and stresses the importance of export readiness. 

“It is not cheap to be here, there’s no question about that, but frankly that’s one of the things that separates the wheat from the chaff, those companies that are committed to an international program,” he said. 

He also references common cultural touchpoints for American companies seeking to do business in the region, noting many business leaders in the Middle East have received higher education from U.S. institutions. 

Still, because the Arab Health conference draws attendees from countries across Asia, Africa and elsewhere, Kallman notes different approaches may be required for reaching these varying markets. 

“When you come here to Arab Health, you’ll have a meeting with someone from Kuwait, okay, consider that, then India, then Pakistan, then Saudi Arabia. And each one has its own unique approaches, and perhaps requirement for representation within that country,” he said. 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 to get in front of these buyers, and also bring these buyers to Wisconsin so they can experience what you and I take for granted,” he said. “That is how we take care of our farms, how we take care of our rural communities.” 

The conversation also touches on the latest developments with the next federal Farm Bill, the organization’s major policy priorities for that legislation and related funding. 

“It will be interesting to see how Congress, you know, balances all of these priorities, but it is really important for our rural economy,” Miller said. 

He also weighs in on the potential impacts for tariffs being imposed under the new presidential administration and possible responses by other countries. Miller stresses the importance of keeping relationships with partners outside of the United States and raising the visibility of Wisconsin dairy on the world stage. 

“We’re going to do that, regardless of what’s happening around us in the political landscape,” he said. “And we’ll do it this year and next year, and we’ll continue to build on that momentum.” 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 productivity has grown more quickly than expected. 

“There’s a surge in productivity, at the same time there has been a surge in U.S. population,” he said. 

The podcast explores the impacts of tariffs on the world stage, with Min noting the direct cost of tariffs typically hits U.S. consumers. He said Federal Reserve board members are expressing worry about expected tariffs under the incoming Trump Administration, pointing to greater inflationary pressures in the near future. 

“Right now, they are getting close to 2%, that is our explicit goal by the Federal Reserve,” he said. “But it has been tough, that last mile from 3% to 2%, that’s going to be tough and with the tariff coming on board, and possible deportations, the Fed may be forced to keep the interest rate higher for longer.” 

Still, he notes that trend would be good for the U.S. dollar in the foreign exchange market. 

“So there’s a huge demand for the dollar, and that’s why the dollar has been very, very strong this year and last year, the year before,” he said. “And again, from Monex, our research department, we expect the dollar to continue to be very strong.” 

Min will be a featured speaker Tuesday at a 2025 Economic Forecast event hosted by the Madison International Trade Association. See details and register here.

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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, 30 years has been just fantastic and it’s really mindblowing to see what Poland has achieved during these years,” he said. 

Along with highlighting Poland’s economic growth since joining the European Union in 2004, Udd paints an optimistic picture for the future of the country’s economy. He notes it has “outperformed all other European countries” over the past few decades along with other major economies around the world. 

“So you have a stable strong growth, sort of just like a train that keeps on running,” he said. “And now you see big investments, big potential ahead.” 

The podcast also touches on economic shifts in the region linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as potential opportunities for Polish companies looking to set up shop in the United States. Udd says more of these businesses are now looking outside the country’s borders in the past five years or so. 

For U.S. companies aiming to expand elsewhere, Udd said most export-oriented businesses will find opportunities in Poland, particularly those in manufacturing. That includes machinery, automation solutions, material handling and more. This sector accounts for nearly one-fourth of Poland’s GDP, he said. 

“The manufacturing industry is a traditionally strong industry and sector in Poland, that’s something that couples really well with the U.S. and with the Midwest,” he said. “So I think there are really good opportunities there.” 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

“Talking Trade” is now available in audio form on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and find more episodes here. 

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 established “very clear” tariff goals related to China. 

“He is not shy about using the word tariff. I think on a recent podcast he said it’s his favorite word, maybe more favorite than the word love, which I thought was extreme,” Baker said. “But he’s been consistent in that messaging, and tariffs are his preferred negotiating tool.” 

Trump has mentioned targets of 10% across all goods and 60% on all goods coming from China, Baker said, adding “you have to take these threats and comments seriously” given his track record on tariffs. 

The United States currently has a trade-weighted average import tariff rate of 2% on industrial goods, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says. A variety of Chinese goods including solar panel cells, critical minerals, battery parts and more face tariffs ranging from 25% to 100%, according to an overview from New York based international law firm White & Case LLP. 

While Congress has authority to levy duties and tariffs and set rates, legislation has shifted more of that power to the executive branch over time, according to Baker. He said mechanisms for enacting Section 301 tariffs in particular have “proven very effective.” 

Under part of the Trade Act of 1974 focused on “unfair trade practices,” often just called Section 301, the United States can enact trade sanctions on countries that violate trade agreements or otherwise engage in “acts that are ‘unjustifiable’ or ‘unreasonable’ and burden U.S. commerce,” according to an overview from the Congressional Research Service. 

“It does require an investigation by [the U.S. Trade Representative,] so there’s some administrative process behind it, but the support for those allegations can be very broad,” Baker said, adding “there’s a high likelihood that Trump will use 301 to expand the scope and degree of tariffs on products from China.” 

He expects Trump will take actions under other trade acts to increase tariff rates while also pressuring other trade allies to “put similar pressure on China under the threat of retaliation.” 

The interview also explores the potential for Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum to be used in further negotiations with trade partners and allies. Baker says threats of expanded tariffs in this area could be used “to negotiate other national security-related concessions,” such as restricting the flow of materials to China that could be used in making semiconductors, AI technology and renewable energy products. 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

“Talking Trade” is now available in audio form on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and find more episodes here. 

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 growing populations in other countries, connectivity through the internet and more. This has come after U.S. exports in 2018 and 2019 had a “bit of a decline” related to retaliatory tariffs enacted by other countries, according to Carter. 

“And so today, we’re looking at the bulk of those tariffs, which have been removed, and I think that we’re seeing those numbers climbing back up steadily,” she said. 

She said other nations are increasingly interested in U.S. staples, noting exports of cranberries to Colombia have “shot up” in recent years. Wisconsin is the top cranberry-producing state in the country. 

“They were getting more top chefs into Colombia, because they’re seeing their tourism go up and people wanting to experience different types of cuisines,” she said. “And I think that as tourism rises in other countries that maybe perhaps in the past weren’t known for their tourism, we’ll see more of this.” 

The podcast also explores the potential for the coming federal farm bill, after the previous one was signed into law by then-President Donald Trump in 2018. The bill is typically passed every five years, so “the re-up of this particular farm bill should have been last year,” but a one-year extension delayed legislative progress, Carter explained. 

“That year was up in September, and now we have some folks in Congress hoping it can be done during the lame duck session, and you have other folks who are holding out,” she said. “And a lot of it is due to the same age-old fights that happen during every farm bill.” 

Carter is scheduled to speak on trade policy during an upcoming Madison International Trade Association event on Nov. 12 in Pewaukee. 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 focus on American cattle, with Bishop noting decades of genetic manipulation have led to the “top genomic cattle in the world” that are sought after worldwide. 

“Today, we ship cattle out of Wilmington, Delaware; Galveston, Texas; and Olympia, Washington are the three major ports in the U.S.,” Bishop said, noting they’re being shipped to destinations throughout Asia, eastern Europe, the Middle East, northern Africa and elsewhere. 

He also touches on how historical animal shipping trends have changed over the years, including how trade relationships with China have shifted, as well as the role of USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service in reaching new markets. 

“It’s a fantastic relationship that livestock exporters have with our partners at APHIS,” Bishop said. 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 emphasis on network security issues than German companies. 

“They’re still looking predominantly at eliminating data silos, minimizing the cost of utilizing big data centers to store all your data and your pipelines,” he said. “So that would be kind of the biggest difference.” 

Iverson also said German companies have more established sustainability frameworks, while the U.S. is less rigid and structured. 

“When you talk about core issues of sustainability and environment, for German manufactures, they have -- I don’t want to say solved the issue, because I think this issue has a long way to go -- but generally speaking, German manufacturers are ahead of the curve on this,” he said. 

The discussion also highlights the “shrinking workforce” for the industry, as skilled workers leaving the industry aren’t being replaced adequately with proficient workers. While Iverson points to AI as one solution to this problem, noting its role in training new hires, he acknowledged it’s not bulletproof. 

“I don’t think it’s going to be the complete solution,” he said. “I think this is more of a Band-Aid until we find the correct long-term solution.” 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 engaged with trade conferences. 

“A lot of interest, I think, from domestic and international carriers,” he said. “I think it’s just going to come to the point where it’s a ‘if you build it, they will come’ scenario, hopefully. That’s the track where we’re on right now.” 

He said smaller operators or those with specific needs may be interested in using the new Milwaukee cargo center, as an alternative to the larger Chicago O’Hare International Airport across the state’s southern border. 

“We do have to advertise Milwaukee as a city that stands on its own, which it does … We probably lose about 2 million or so passengers to Chicago. We know that, but at the same time, we have sufficient traffic levels here,” he said. 

Dranzik also noted the Milwaukee area benefits from less congested airspace than the Chicago airport, which may give some carriers more confidence for choosing the smaller airport as a freight alternative. 

“It’s kind of a first mover thing,” he said. “Once we get one in the door, we feel confident that others will follow.” 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel. 

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 bit,” Pryor said. “In fact, last fiscal year we supported over $8.5 billion in finance throughout the world.” 

Still, she notes 80% of its transactions are with American small businesses. As one example, Pryor highlighted Mathews Archery in Sparta, Wis., which the bank has helped export $22 million over the past decade. 

“We can guarantee, or lend, up to $135 billion,” she said. “Today, our exposure is around $34 billion, so we have plenty of room to grow.” 

The interview explores the role of EXIM Bank in global competitiveness as part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which has dozens of friendly member countries. The OECD provides guidelines so comparable agencies in this framework aren’t undercutting one another in the international marketplace. 

“Now China, of course, is not a member of the OECD,” she said. “But in my opinion, we need to lead by example in order to encourage countries who are not members to play by the same rules.” 

Pryor also discusses how the OECD is undergoing a “modernization” process, offering more favorable term options for those building solar or wind energy technology developments. 

“If it’s clean, if it’s green, certain sectors -- energy storage, energy efficiency, renewable -- let’s lean in and provide longer term limits for those repayment terms,” she said.