News

Senator lifts hold on USTR ag negotiator nominee

A barrier has been lifted on the nomination of Greg Doud, President Trump’s nominee to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Arizona Senator Jeff Flake has lifted his hold on the nomination after assurances from Senator Orrin Hatch that he will work with Flake on his concerns about a specialty crop proposal out of the U-S-T-R’s office. At the Cattle Industry convention, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, said it’s a positive and timely decision and that Doud has lots of experience, “We need an ag negotiator at USTR. We needed them weeks, months ago. This is an important time in relationships with Mexico and Canada, in regard to agriculture, with the NAFTA negotiations ongoing.”

Moran says the hold by Senator Ted Cruz on the nomination of Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey for a USDA administrative position needs to be lifted, “We’re slowing down the ability for USDA to provide services to farmers and ranchers across the country because of the lack of the confirmation of Mr. Northey.”

NCBA President Craig Uden says the lift on Doud’s nomination is a great move because NAFTA, the Korea-U.S. trade agreement, and access to many other markets are “still up in the air” – saying it’s crucial the Senate confirm Doud’s nomination as soon as possible.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says in a news release: “We are pleased Senator Flake has decided to allow Gregg Doud to face a confirmation vote for the position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. This is a critical time for U.S. agriculture, so swift action is what we need. Right now, our government is negotiating major agreements that will affect our industry for years to come, but doing so with a major vacancy unfilled at USTR. We urge the U.S. Senate to move quickly to confirm Gregg Doud.”