The American Soybean Association (ASA) is urging the Senate to quickly approve President Donald Trump’s nomination of Gregg Doud, president of the Commodity Markets Council, to be the chief agricultural negotiator under the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

In a letter sent to each Senate office late last week, ASA and several other ag organizations through the U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue for Trade, reiterated the important role USTR plays in developing U.S. international trade policy and leading trade negotiations.

“Trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have in large part been a success for U.S. farmers, ranchers and food processors,” the groups state in the letter. “As the Administration and Congress work together to identify constructive opportunities to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global market, such as modernizing NAFTA, it will remain critical to preserve what has worked well by building forward from the base of existing market access and tariff provisions. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a Chief Agriculture Negotiator in place immediately to ensure these efforts build off the success from the gains that have been achieved under agreements like NAFTA.”

Doud’s background includes experience as senior aide to the Senate Agriculture Committee, chief economist for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and international trade analyst for ASA.

“To ensure U.S. trade policy works in the best interests of U.S. food and agriculture producers, we believe it is of utmost importance to confirm Mr. Doud as our next Chief Agriculture Negotiator as soon as possible,” the letter states. “We look forward to working with Mr. Doud on efforts to develop and implement a U.S. trade policy that continues to promote America’s food and agriculture producers and exporters.”

Click here to read the entire letter.