WASHINGTON, DC – Expanding agricultural exports and protecting existing markets dominated discussion as the Senate Agriculture Committee considered Gregory Ibach to become USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
Committee Chairman John Boozman said agriculture needs stronger market access as producers struggle with high input costs and low commodity prices. He pointed to restoring beef access in China, the ongoing U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement review, and trade concerns facing rice, seafood and specialty crops.
Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar agreed export demand is critical but argued recent tariff policy has increased farm input costs and created uncertainty in major markets. She noted Canada, Mexico and China together account for about half of U.S. agricultural exports.
Ibach told senators he would prioritize aggressive market development, trade enforcement and removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers if confirmed. He also emphasized sanitary and phytosanitary issues, export promotion and international food-assistance programs as tools for building long-term commercial relationships.
Ibach previously served as USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and has farming, cattle and state agriculture experience in Nebraska.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The next USDA trade chief will face pressure to expand export demand while navigating tariffs, market-access disputes and uncertainty in major agricultural trading relationships.