WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai released the following statement after Doug McKalip, President Biden's nominee to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, was confirmed today by the United States Senate:
“Since he was nominated to be USTR’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator in June 2022, Doug McKalip has generated broad, bipartisan support from Members of Congress, governors, and state agriculture commissioners – as well as strong endorsements from key stakeholders. His decades of public service, including his time at USDA as a trusted advisor to Secretary Vilsack, makes him uniquely qualified to take on this important role.
“As Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Doug will build on the Biden Administration’s record of representing the interests of our farmers, ranchers, producers, and workers, including expanding market access for their products. He will further enhance the strong collaboration between USTR and USDA as we work together to bring more U.S. products to customers around the world. Doug will also help us address the rising risk of global food insecurity as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine and other supply chain disruptions. We face many challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that Doug is the right leader to help us tackle these issues at a critical moment for America.
“I would like to thank the members of the United States Senate who supported Doug’s nomination and all of the important partners and stakeholders who helped get him confirmed. I look forward to welcoming Doug to USTR as he joins our leadership team in 2023.”
Biography of Doug McKalip
Doug McKalip is in his 29th year of federal service as an agriculture policy leader and trade expert. Since March 2021, he has served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on all agricultural matters relating to trade, national security, animal and plant health regulations, and a wide portfolio of domestic and international issues. McKalip formerly served in a leadership capacity in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology Regulatory Services. He served as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture from 2015 to September 2016, and also as Acting Chief of Staff. McKalip was Senior Advisor for Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council, where he counseled President Barack Obama on issues involving farm, ranch, and rural policy. He served as the Director of the White House Rural Council and coordinated the Executive Branch-wide response to the 2012-2013 drought. McKalip has served in a variety of other roles at USDA, including as Confidential Assistant to the Secretary, and Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the National Resources Conservation Service at USDA.
McKalip has a Master’s in Public Policy from the American University in Washington D.C. and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of the Executive Fellows Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2020), a Fellow in the California Agricultural Leadership DC Exchange (2018), and a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA (2005). He was also a participant in the Student Council for U.S. Affairs at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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