Farm Leaders Cheer Callahan Nomination to Chief Ag Negotiator Post

On Thursday, President Donald Trump nominated Julie Callahan to serve as the chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The agricultural industry had been urging the Trump administration to make such a nomination. Just last week, more than 40 agricultural associations sent a letter to Trump pressing him to “expeditiously nominate” a negotiator.

Callahan has been with the Office of the USTR since 2016, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her most recent position was assistant USTR for agricultural affairs and commodity policy, a position she held since 2020.

Agricultural groups have responded to Callahan’s nomination with resounding commendation. Here’s a look at the reactions.

American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall “commended” Callahan’s nomination on Thursday in a statement.

“Dr. Callahan is a pro with nearly a decade of experience negotiating trade agreements. She understands how important international partnerships are to agriculture and the critical role of strong export markets to strengthen our farm economy,” Duvall said. 

“As someone who has come through the ranks and worked directly on trade agreements, including reducing both technical barriers and tariffs, Julie will hit the ground running. Her previous experience in the foreign ag service at USDA and also at FDA provide important perspective to inform her work to help resolve challenging issues on the trade front,” he added.

Duvall said AFBF looks “forward to a swift senate confirmation process so that Dr. Callahan can be fully empowered to contribute to U.S. trade strategy during these volatile times.”

American Soybean Association

The American Soybean Association (ASA) represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues. ASA has 26 affiliate state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers.

ASA welcomed the nomination of Callahan in a statement released Thursday.

“Julie Callahan understands the importance of international export markets to the success of U.S. agriculture,” said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. “Soybean farmers across the country know they have a champion in Dr. Callahan, given her history of service at USTR and across the federal government. ASA is excited to see her nominated for this important role, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in her new position.”

In the statement, ASA urged the senate to swiftly confirm Callahan’s nomination.

Growth Energy

As the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Members of the association operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

Growth Energy commended the Trump administration for nominating Callahan. 

In a statement Thursday, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said, “The Trump administration is aiming to rebalance our trade relationships to support American energy dominance and rural economic growth. This effort requires a strong ag negotiator, and Julie Callahan is the perfect fit, given her experience at USTR and her understanding of our industry’s trade goals.”

“We congratulate her and urge the Senate to approve her nomination right away. We look forward to working with her to build new markets for American farmers and create new opportunities for American ethanol producers,” Skor added.

National Corn Growers Association

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their state.

NCGA “applauded” Callahan’s nomination on Thursday in a statement.

“Corn grower leaders have been very vocal in recent weeks about the need to fill this important position, as the chief ag negotiator plays a critical role in prioritizing agriculture issues in ongoing trade negotiations,” said Illinois corn grower and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We are thrilled to see the president listened and chose someone of this caliber to represent the interests of America’s farmers. It was a pleasure to congratulate Dr. Callahan in person today during our meeting at the White House.”

National Grain and Feed Association

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), founded in 1896, is a broad-based, non-profit trade association that represents and provides services for grain, feed, and related commercial businesses. Its activities focus on enhancing the growth and economic performance of U.S. agriculture.

In a statement Thursday, NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said the following:

“On behalf of America’s grain and feed industry, I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Julie Callahan on her nomination by President Trump as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Dr. Callahan brings a deep understanding of global agricultural trade — rooted in her service since 2016 at USTR overseeing agricultural affairs and commodity policy — and a proven record advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture in complex negotiations. We look forward to working alongside Ambassador‑designate Callahan to further strengthen the industry’s competitiveness in international markets, reduce unfair trade barriers, and support profitability across the entire agricultural supply chain. Her leadership will be a significant asset to the sector as we face evolving global challenges and opportunities.”

National Milk Producers Federation

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) “develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.”

Together with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), NMPF commended Callahan’s nomination in a statement Thursday.

“The role of chief agricultural negotiator is critical to ensuring that American dairy farmers have a voice in trade negotiations,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF and a former USTR chief agricultural negotiator. “Dr. Callahan is the right choice. Her expertise and leadership in agricultural trade policy is second to none. Dairy farmers and the entire U.S. dairy industry look forward to working with her to open new export markets and hold our trading partners accountable. We ask that the Senate move swiftly to advance her confirmation process.”

“Dr. Callahan’s nomination today is a win for U.S. agriculture,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “The U.S. dairy industry depends on a proactive trade policy agenda to grow. Dr. Callahan brings deep trade policy expertise and an unmatched record of advocating for U.S. farmers and food manufacturers to a role vital to ensuring agriculture has a seat at the negotiating table. We look forward to working with her to drive back trade barriers and build markets for American dairy producers. USDEC calls on the Senate to quickly confirm her as our next chief agricultural negotiator.”

“For far too long, the European Union has misused its geographical indications rules to monopolize common food names like ‘parmesan’ and block fair competition from U.S. producers,” said Jaime Castaneda, executive director of CCFN. “In her current role, Dr. Callahan has been leading the charge in preserving market access for U.S. common name producers in the face of these harmful EU policies. Her leadership will be instrumental in working to ensure that the EU stops taking advantage of American farmers. We are excited for the opportunity to further work with her on this important mission and urge an expeditious confirmation process in the Senate.”

National Sorghum Producers

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) “represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry coast to coast through legislative and regulatory representation and education.”

On Thursday, NSP issued a statement welcoming Callahan’s nomination.

“Julie Callahan is a proven leader with deep experience navigating the complex, technical challenges that often stand between American farmers and global markets,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kansas. “Her nomination is welcome news for U.S. agriculture, and we look forward to working with her to expand international demand for sorghum and other U.S. commodities.”

The NSP statement concluded with, “NSP urges the U.S. Senate to act swiftly to confirm [Callahan] to this key role.”

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.