USTR Ag Negotiator
I’m Bob Larson. The unexpected withdrawal of Elaine Trevino as President Biden’s nominee for Chief Ag Negotiator has brought new pressure on the White House and U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai to fill the post quickly. Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow …
STABENOW … “It is critical we get a Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR. It’s just absolutely important. As you know, markets are critical for agriculture, and so, we really need to get this across the finish line as soon as possible.”
After 14 months without an ag negotiator, South Dakota Republican John Thune says patience are thin …
THUNE … “It’s an expression, I think, of priorities, and I can tell you that there are a lot of farmers and ranchers and agricultural producers, growers around this country, who are very, very concerned that the promotion of agricultural exports be a priority. And it doesn’t seem like it is.”
An irritated Katherine Tai dismissed Thune’s claims …
TAI … “Senator Thune, we have nominated one, and I’m very grateful for Elaine Trevino’s willingness to serve, and I look forward to working with her in another capacity she will take on in the Biden Administration. At the moment, I’m working very hard with our administration to name a new Chief Ag Negotiator nominee.”
Tai insists she fully backs the importance of Ag trade, though both parties’ sharply criticized the administration for resisting calls to do new trade deals.
