USDA Under Secretary for Trade Gets Hearing

The nominee for USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Ag Affairs Alexis Taylor had a confirmation hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. During Thursday’s hearing, lawmakers asked Taylor about new and existing trade deals. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar would like to see dairy provisions in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement enforced with Canada. “I applaud the U.S. for winning the USMCA dispute from earlier this year. It sent a strong message to our trading partners in initiating a second panel.” Taylor agreed to support the panel proceedings and the use of enforcement mechanisms. Taylor also committed to learning more about the biotech provisions with Mexico in the USMCA. The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to vote on Taylor’s nomination on Tuesday.