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 ...
Feb 21, 2025•23 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast 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. “Americ...
Feb 03, 2025•13 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast 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 an...
Feb 03, 2025•13 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast 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” dome...
Feb 03, 2025•16 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast 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” fo...
Dec 17, 2024•15 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast 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 wheth...
Nov 07, 2024•19 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Cons...
Nov 01, 2024•16 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast 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 b...
Oct 14, 2024•13 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Sep 16, 2024•16 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Sep 03, 2024•13 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast 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....
Aug 26, 2024•16 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast 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 negoti...
Aug 12, 2024•15 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast 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 reac...
Aug 02, 2024•20 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast 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 “...
Aug 02, 2024•14 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast 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 American...
Aug 02, 2024•11 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 26, 2024•15 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast 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 act...
Jun 26, 2024•11 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast 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 th...
Jun 26, 2024•15 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 01, 2024•12 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast 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. ...
Jun 01, 2024•13 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast 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 countr...
May 03, 2024•13 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast 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 outli...
May 03, 2024•14 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 01, 2024•12 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 01, 2024•13 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast 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 rea...
Mar 08, 2024•15 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 26, 2024•16 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 26, 2024•12 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast 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, h...
Dec 08, 2023•13 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast 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 understa...
Dec 08, 2023•11 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Oct 25, 2023•15 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast 
