USTR Greer Shares Support for Chief Ag Negotiator Nominee Julie Callahan

Julie Callahan was nominated earlier this summer by President Donald Trump, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers she is ready to hit the ground running.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — In the push to expand trade opportunities, the United States could soon have a new Chief Agriculture Negotiator. Julie Callahan was nominated earlier this summer by President Donald Trump, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers she is ready to hit the ground running.

“She’s a longtime career staffer who knows the business, the community, and the countries, and she’s already been hard at work,” Greer said. “She’ll, of course, have added authority when she’s confirmed. One of the things I’ve asked them to look at is what about Brazil, right? I’ve heard a lot about Brazil today and who they are as a trading partner, but we have to remember—in terms of ag—they’re a competitor, not just in ag, but in aerospace and other things. They are a competitor. And every time someone retaliates against us, Brazil tends to do the backfill. So, there are a lot of things to solve here; and our ag negotiator — she’s ready for the job.”

Callahan has spent nearly a decade with the U.S. Trade Rep’s office. She currently serves as an Assistant Trade Representative for agricultural and commodity policy. If confirmed, Callahan would replace Doug McCalip, who left Washington with the previous Biden Administration.

Related Stories
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joins us to provide an updated analysis of projected ARC and PLC payments and potential delays due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Dr. Beetham outlined the background of the EU’s decision to modernize seed regulations and where the process stands today, and its impact on global agriculture and food security.
“It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently, at the federal level.”
Colin Reilly with Connected Nation joined RFD-TV News to explain how the tool works and why it’s an important step in bridging the digital divide.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
Farmers are in the midst of harvest as the government descends into a shutdown and the Farm Bill expires. Key federal departments, crop reporting, and aid programs important to the agricultural sector are now on hold.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

USDA released the November WASDE Report on Friday, the first supply-and-demand estimate to drop since September, just before the 43-day government shutdown.
U.S. Trade officials announced new deals with El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Argentina, as well as a steep reduction in tariffs on Swiss imports.
China’s cost advantage with Brazilian soybeans and vague public messaging leave U.S. export prospects uncertain heading into winter.
Expanded aerial capacity strengthens the U.S.–Mexico buffer against screwworm, providing cattle producers with stronger protection heading into winter and reducing risk to herds along the southern tier.
AFBF economist Faith Parum breaks down the potential impact of the proposed policy change to allow year-round sales of E15 biofuel.
The request follows pressure from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASIA), which called for a formal investigation into whether lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have cut into the U.S. market share.