Two key U.S. trade officials still need to be confirmed: the nominee for Chief Ag Negotiator Doug McKalip and the nominee for USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor. South Dakota Senator John Thune says the full Senate confirmation votes are expected once the Senate is back in session following the November elections. “I think there’s bipartisan support and acknowledgment these positions have been vacant way too long. As a consequence, we’re missing the boat in negotiating free trade agreements and opening up market access to agricultural products. Both of those positions need to be confirmed and start doing the work of opening up market opportunities for farmers and ranchers.”
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