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Global Connections
Spring 2025 Projects
MU ITC Interns Supporting the Decision-Making Needs of Area Businesses
In May, students from the International Trade Center at the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business shared findings from their semester-long global market research projects with four U.S. companies that were seeking to expand their sales internationally. The students completed extensive research to identify and evaluate international markets with sales potential for the participating companies, which included Becker Professional Education, ConstructReach and Scinomix, all based in St. Louis; and LaRue Artesian Spring Water, which is based in Potosi, Missouri. In comments shared with the students following delivery of their final presentation, Digvijay Singh, marketing manager for India at Becker Professional Education, said he looked forward to sharing their results with the rest of his team.
“The depth of analysis and the clarity of the outcomes that I can see in the research are very refined,” he said. “The recommendations shared by the team, along with the sales leads, make a lot of sense. I look forward to sharing this with the larger team at Becker, to get their insights as to how we can best use this data to support what we are currently doing and to strategize for the future in order to expand Becker’s global market reach.”
Final Project Presentation Highlights
What in the World? ITC Company Spotlight – Link electronics
ULocated in Branson, MO, LINK Electronics (LINK) was founded in 1989 by Bob Henson and Jim Timberlake to develop and distribute industry leading broadcast encoding solutions and services. Today, under the ownership and leadership of David Kendall, LINK leads the industry in broadcasting and encoding products. The company takes pride in the 200+ products they currently produce in house, the new products in development and in the excellence and innovation delivered to customers.
In early 2020, LINK Electronics partnered with the International Trade Center at University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business to help evaluate international sales demand for its closed captioning product line so it would be better positioned to proactively guide sales expansion activities moving forward.
Five years after working with the ITC we are pleased to hear that the next steps and recommendations provided to LINK Electronics have served them well.
Spring 2025 Trulaske ITC Graduate Spotlight –
Elizabeth (Libby) Broadhurst interned with the International Trade Center as a Junior during the Fall 2023 semester and graduated in May 2025 with her BSBA in Business with an emphasis in Management and a minor in Economics. She also earned certificates in Global Business and Global Supply Chain Management. We wish Libby all the very best post-graduation. She has just accepted a full-time position as a Central Flow Lead at Amazon in their corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee. This opportunity marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Libby and provides her with the opportunity to leverage knowledge, skills and talents developed within the Trulaske College of Business and apply them at Amazon in working collaboratively with talented colleague to drive operational excellence and contribute to Amazon’s mission of “delivering smiles to customers worldwide”.
Where in the World? Trulaske ITC Alumni Spotlight – Pinki Thakker
As a graduate assistant for the International Trade Center at the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., College of Business in 2017-2018, Pinki Thakker supported undergraduate project teams in completing their research projects. Thakker completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Mizzou, most recently graduating with her master of business administration in May 2018. With her undergraduate degree focus in international studies, Thakker took the opportunity to expand her global mindset early by studying abroad in France and Ghana, and by engaging in student organizations with an international focus. Initially struggling to find a job when she completed her bachelor’s degree, Thakker purchased a one-way ticket to India — a decision that felt risky and uncertain at the time, but one that ultimately ended up shaping the rest of her career path. Post-MBA, Thakker was hired by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration to serve as a trade specialist based in the Kansas City, Missouri field office. Since taking that position, Thakker has had ample opportunity to learn, grow and travel internationally.
Program Spotlight – Trulaske Trade Trek - Spring 2025
The International Trade Center provided a group of 22 Trulaske College of Business undergraduate students with an opportunity to travel to St. Louis in April as part of a newly launched experience-centered learning opportunity called Trulaske Trade Trek. Students got to experience global trade in action by visiting with exporters, importers, government and local trade resource professionals, local trade assets, and trade service organizations from across the St. Louis region.
The Trulaske Trade Trek offers a unique opportunity to connect classroom concepts with real-world applications, deepening students’ understanding of career paths and professional expectations.
Check out the Trade Trek visits made.
Carolyn Murphy reflects on her Trade Trek experience.
Recognizing Student Success: 2025 NASBITE International Student Case Competition Finalists
Congratulations are shared with undergraduate students and former MU ITC interns Catherine Hinkebein, Aisling Kerr, Cody Kleiman and Eva Oelsner who competed in the 2025 NASBITE International Student Case Competition held in Cleveland, Ohio April 8-10, 2025. Proudly on the heels of last-years team win, the team made to the final round and were recognized as one of the “top 4” teams, from among the 22 teams competing.
Annually, this case competition provides students from across the U.S. and around the globe with the chance to solve a real-world international business challenge posed by a U.S.-based company seeking to expand sales internationally. This year’s participating company was Save The Girls Touch Screen Purses, a women-owned brand headquartered in Collinsville, Illinois in the absence of a pocket provide a safe and convenient cell phone storage option that is fully accessible.
Recognizing Partner Success
Congratulations are extended to long-time partner within the Missouri Trade ecosystem – Melissa Miller and the World Trade Center-Kansas City, for receiving the 2025 Advancing International Trade Award from NASBITE International. This award recognizes the dedication and service of those who are advancing international trade in each state in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.
Since 1990, the World Trade Center Kansas City (WTC-KC), as the international division of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, has provided leadership and commitment to improving the global trade environment and resources available to support international growth and representation for businesses across the Kansas City metropolitan area (spanning the business population in both Missouri and Kansas). From e-certification, market research and trade training, to hosting inbound and outbound delegations, the WTC-KC brings together a strong system of business and government agencies to support trade and investment and enhance Kansas City’s global connectivity.
The WTC-KC has a rich history, reputation and positioning as a leader within the trade communities in both Missouri and Kansas. The WTC-KC under the able leadership of Melissa Miller (Director) monitors needs, implements new initiatives, and supports strategy development and growth within the trade community. In the spirit of cooperation and partnership the WTC-KC actively collaborate with partners across both states to support the trade community.
Building Competencies: Register Now! 2025 CGBP Training
If you are interested in international trade and seeking to better position yourself, your employees and your company for export success, you should make plans to attend the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) exam prep training offered by the International Trade Center August 5-7, 2025. Conveniently delivered via Zoom, participants have access to four hours of instruction each day (10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:45-5:15 p.m. CDT).
Join trade professionals from across the country by saying yes to this training and registering NOW!
Connecting Exporters: Register NOW - 2025 Mid-America Trade Summit
Each fall, the International Trade Center, along with trade assistance partners from across the region, hosts the Mid-America Trade Summit. The summit provides a unique opportunity to bring together top exporters, global trade leaders and trade assistance providers from across Mid-America. Outstanding exporters are invited to share their export stories, highlighting best practices and lessons learned that have contributed to their export success.
Watch for keynote and presenter details for the 2025 Mid-America Trade Summit to be published and plan to join us via Zoom on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Market Spotlight – Tapping Into Africa: The Dynamic Market of Rwanda
Rwanda is emerging as a strategic export destination due to its fast-growing economy, pro-business policies and expanding consumer market. With a GDP growth of 8.2% in 2022 and over USD 3.6 billion in imports, demand is rising for products like machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. The country has consistently ranked among the top performers in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, placing second in Africa and 38th globally in the latest available rankings. Rwanda offers streamlined customs procedures and investment support through the Rwanda Development Board. Its membership in the East African Community and African Continental Free Trade Area further provides exporters with access to a combined market of over 280 million people. Rwanda’s stable macroeconomic environment, liberal trade policies, and strategic access to regional markets make it a prime export destination. With rising demand for high-quality goods and a government committed to facilitating foreign trade, companies looking for sustainable growth avenues in Africa would be wise to consider Rwanda as a priority export market.
The World Trade Center St. Louis is organizing its inaugural trade mission to Africa, focusing on Rwanda, from October 25 to November 1, 2025. This mission aims to strengthen economic ties between St. Louis and Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, which is recognized for its resilience and innovation. Participants will engage in business meetings, networking events, and site visits to explore opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and technology. For further information, contact Karen Gentles, kgentles@worldtradecenter-stl.com or (314) 277-3276.
For additional market insights see the Rwanda Country Commercial Guide.
Trade Resource Spotlight – The Ever-Changing Tariff Environment
The global tariff landscape is increasingly dynamic, shaped by geopolitical tensions, economy policy shifts and trade negotiations. In recent years we have seen major fluctuations in tariff regimes due to U.S.-China trade disputes, Post-Brexit adjustments, supply chain realignments, retaliatory tariffs among economic blocs, and sustainability and carbon border adjustment. These frequent changes impact not just multinational corporations but also small exporters, importers and supply chain managers who must navigate new compliance challenges and pricing uncertainties. In today’s interconnected economy, staying ahead of the tariff shifts is no longer optional. Companies need real-time updates, export interpretation, and strategic flexibility to manage costs and compliance. Leveraging official resources, tech platforms and global news can provide a solid foundation for navigating this complexity.
Key Resources to Stay Informed:
Government and International Sources
- U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) – https://www.trade.gov/
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – https://www.cbp.gov/
- Trade Map - https://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx
Tariff Lookup Tools
- U.S Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) - https://hts.usitc.gov/
- EU TARIC database - https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/index_en
News and Analysis
- Bloomberg Trade Tracker - https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/trump-tariffs-tracker/
- Reuters Trade and Tariff section - https://www.reuters.com/business/tariffs/
Professional Bodies and Portals
- American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) - https://aaei.org/
- Trade compliance portals like Descartes, Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE, or Import Genius
Trade Indicator Spotlight – U.S. News Best Countries Ranking
The U.S. News & World Report’s Best Countries Rankings is an annual assessment that evaluates nations based on global perceptions across various attributes. These attributes are grouped into ten thematic sub rankings, including Quality of Life, Entrepreneurship, Cultural Influence, Power, and Agility. The rankings aim to measure how countries are perceived in terms of factors that can influence trade, travel, and investment. In the 2024 rankings, Switzerland secured the top position, followed by Japan and the United States, which achieved its highest ranking to date at third place. The methodology for these rankings was developed in collaboration with WPP’s BAV Group and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. It focuses on how global perceptions define countries in terms of qualitative characteristics that have the potential to drive economic and social success.