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Biden administration withdraws Trevino nomination for USTR ag negotiator

The Biden administration has withdrawn its nominee for chief ag negotiator under the office of the US Trade Representative.  Elaine Trevino was nominated for the position in September 2021, but a Senate Finance confirmation hearing was never scheduled.  In her letter to President Biden, Trevino did not give a detailed reason for her withdrawal.  But did say it was clear there was no timely path forward to gain Senate confirmation.

The move sends USTR back to the drawing board and prolongs the vacancy in a key role in the office at a time when food prices are rising and much of the world is turning its attention to agricultural trade. 

In addition to the USTR vacancy, the USDA has yet to name a trade undersecretary.  During last week’s Commodity Classic Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the nomination process for political appointments has become more difficult.