Senate Confirms USTR Nominee

After a lengthy confirmation process, the U.S. Senate gave the nod President Trump’s pick to serve as U.S. Trade Representative.  The Senate approved Lighthizer 82-14, giving the Trump administration its final trade voice needed to move forward with its trade agenda.

That agenda includes a renegotiation of NAFTA, which Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue predicted could happen within the next six months.  Following the confirmation vote, agriculture groups stressed the importance of trade.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released a statement calling international trade “vital to the success” of agriculture.

NCBA President Craig Uden urged Lighthizer to “focus his efforts on opening and expanding our access to other markets and preventing any action that may hinder our export growth.” U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers welcomed the confirmation vote, and encouraged Lighthizer to quickly name a new U.S. Agricultural Trade Ambassador.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com