It was announced on Wednesday that Doug McKalip will be nominated by President Joe Biden as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the USTR. Below are statements from various ag industry officials and companies.
Statement from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2022 – “Doug McKalip is highly qualified and exceptionally capable of serving the American people as Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Having served as a key agriculture policy official for nearly three decades, he has worked on every aspect of farming from soil conservation, and the supply chain to dealing with sensitive trade and national security matters. Through his service, he has represented American farmers around the world and advocated for U.S. agricultural products and technology.
Doug has been a key member of my team throughout my tenure as Secretary of Agriculture and has demonstrated a consistent ability to tackle difficult issues and to develop bi-partisan solutions to challenges when opposing views exist. These skills will serve him well as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). We will miss having Doug here at USDA, but know that American agriculture and USTR will be well served by having him in this new role. I urge the U.S. Senate to confirm him at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Wheat Industry Welcomes Nomination of Doug McKalip
ARLINGTON, Virginia — Yesterday, President Biden announced the nomination of Doug McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
“NAWG applauds President Biden nominating Doug McKalip to this critical role, and we encourage the Senate Finance Committee to work quickly in moving forward this nomination,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “I know Doug very well from his decades of public service at the USDA, and he will be able to hit the ground running on day one. There are numerous challenges facing the United States when it comes to ag trade, but we are eager to see Doug’s nomination move quickly so he may begin important work at USTR to advocate for U.S. wheat farmers.”
“Trade is incredibly important to U.S. wheat producers, who export about half their production each year. That makes securing market access and the work of USTR critical,” said U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Chairman Vince Peterson. “We welcome the nomination and look forward to him being confirmed and in place to advocate for agriculture at USTR.”
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About U.S. Wheat Associates
U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.
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About the National Association of Wheat Growers.
NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public.
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Statement of NCFC President and CEO Chuck Conner on the Nomination of Doug McKalip to Be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator
Washington, D.C. (June 8, 2022)—”NCFC applauds the announcement by President Joe Biden today that he intends to nominate Doug McKalip to be the chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Filling this role is critically important as American agriculture looks to expand markets across the globe and respond to the critical food crisis in the developing world caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Throughout his three-decade career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), he has been a champion of America’s farmer, ranchers and rural communities, making him an excellent choice for this role. Once his nomination is formally submitted, we urge the Senate to take it up without delay and vote for confirmation.”
McKalip Nominated to Serve as Ag Negotiator at USTR
President Biden announced today that he intends to nominate USDA advisor Doug McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator with the United States Trade Representative.
“This position is important to corn growers,” said Brooke S. Appleton, vice president of public policy at the National Corn Growers Association. “We are very pleased to see this nomination in place and moving forward, and we look forward to working with Mr. McKalip on some of our key trade issues.”
McKalip has worked on agricultural policy and trade for over 28 years. He most recently served as senior advisor to Secretary Vilsack. The position, which requires a Senate confirmation, is charged with conducting and overseeing international negotiations related to trade in agricultural products.
CORN REFINERS COMMEND THE NOMINATION OF DOUG MCKALIP AS CHIEF AG NEGOTIATOR
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to President Biden’s intention to nominate Doug McKalip, senior advisor to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Corn Refiners Association President & CEO John Bode issued the following statement:
“Doug McKalip brings exceptional agricultural experience from his years of government service at USDA. His policy expertise will help guide our country through the trade challenges we face, securing greater market access for U.S. products and enabling the food and agriculture sectors to fairly compete and thrive in the global economy. On behalf of the corn refining industry, I congratulate Doug on his nomination and look forward to working together to support U.S. agriculture producers and exporters. We urge swift Senate confirmation so this vital position may finally be filled.”
IDFA Supports the Nomination of Doug McKalip to Serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2022— Becky Rasdall, Vice President of Trade Policy and International Affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA), released the following statement today on President Biden’s intent to nominate Doug McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR):
“IDFA is pleased with President Biden’s intent to nominate Doug McKalip to serve as USTR’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Mr. McKalip has served in the federal government with distinction over several decades and administrations, demonstrating a commitment to furthering the interests of U.S. agriculture and those who produce and market U.S. food and agricultural products. IDFA is confident that, should he be confirmed, Mr. McKalip will work within USTR and the White House to continue to advance market opportunities for U.S. dairy around the world. We strongly urge the U.S. Senate to expedite a hearing to advance his nomination.
“IDFA is encouraged that the Administration is now moving to fill essential agricultural trade positions. Along with the nomination of Alexis Taylor to serve as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, USDA and the White House are building a strong team focused on advancing export opportunities for U.S. dairy. IDFA congratulates Doug McKalip on his nomination and will be working with key congressional offices to urge his swift confirmation so the dairy industry may have a strong voice in trade policy decisions impacting our global competitiveness.”
Dairy Supports Nomination of Doug McKalip for Chief Agricultural Negotiator
ARLINGTON, VA – The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)– representing America’s dairy farmers, exporters and manufacturers – today offered their support and praise for President Biden’s selection of Doug McKalip as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
“Expanding U.S. agricultural export opportunities requires all hands on deck,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “The position of USTR’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator plays a central role in driving trade policy and expanding overseas markets for dairy products. Doug is an excellent choice given his strong background in agriculture, earned while serving in numerous positions within the White House and USDA. He brings an informed perspective on how to best drive policy and support American agriculture and he will be ready to lead from day one. NMPF encourages the Senate to confirm him without delay, so that he may hit the ground running.”
“Doug has spent a lifetime in service to America’s farmers and rural communities, and we are grateful for his dedication,” said Krysta Harden, USDEC president and CEO. “He has seen firsthand how opening new markets and lowering tariffs on American dairy products have been essential to the success or our farmers, manufacturers and workers. Additional market opportunities await American dairy, as global consumers reach for our high-quality, sustainably produced products when given the chance. As Chief Agricultural Negotiator, he will have the opportunity to help us continue to grow and thrive through exports, which today account for over 17% of domestic milk production.”
Statement on the Nomination of Doug McKalip as Chief Agriculture Negotiator
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Brian Kuehl, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade, the nation’s leading ag trade advocacy coalition, released the following statement on the nomination of Doug McKalip as Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the the U.S. Trade Representative.
“It’s encouraging that the Biden Administration has nominated Mr. McKalip for this critical position. The ag negotiator position is vital for opening export markets to Made-in-America food and ag and we hope the Senate moves swiftly on confirmation. We look forward to working with Mr. McKalip on the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, particularly as the U.S. pursues the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and considers tariff rollbacks.
“Mr. McKalip’s long service at USDA should prepare him well for fighting for the needs of our nation’s farm and food interests. We need aggressive action to open markets for American ag, particularly as we struggle to compete globally due to trade policies that have encouraged protectionism and erected too many barriers to trade. USTR knows well that U.S. farmers and ranchers export more than 20 percent of what they produce and that those exports are essential to their prosperity. We must continue to expand and protect American food and ag exports.”
| McKalip To Be Nominated As Chief Ag Negotiator |
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| President Biden has announced his intention to nominate Doug McKalip, senior advisor to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
In response to the announcement, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) congratulated McKalip:
“Doug McKalip has extensive international experience and more than 28 years of government service at the USDA. He will be able to use his strong background in farm and trade policy and his knowledge of biotechnology to advance trade priorities and open markets for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and co-products. Upon his confirmation, we look forward to working with him in his pivotal role at USTR.”
In addition to his current role at USDA and his coming work at USTR, McKalip also served as a Confidential Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture from 2009-2011 and Senior Advisor to the Secretary, where he handled all policy issues relating to agriculture biotechnology, coordinated federal policy for the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture.
His nomination will now be submitted to the Senate Finance Committee where his confirmation process will begin. |
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