U.S. finally has ag. trade negotiator

After months of waiting Gregg Doud has gained approval from the United States Senate to serve as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Doud was nominated to the post by President Trump on June 16, 2017, and a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee was Oct. 5.

Following that meeting a hold was placed on Doud’s nomination by Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). That hold was lifted Feb. 1.

Doud is a native of Kansas and grew up on a farm.

Since 2013, he has served as president for the Commodity Markets Council.

He also worked on Senator Roberts’ staff for two years on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

He worked for NCBA for eight years as the chief economist, and also had stints with U.S. Wheat Associates and the agricultural commodity consulting firm World Perspectives.

He steps into his role while negotiations are underway with Mexico and Canada on NAFTA, with Korea and the European Union.

There have also been indications that Trump wants to get the U.S. back into the Trans-Pacific Partnership.