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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About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.