July 7, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a coalition of nearly 100 U.S. food and agriculture organizations called for the prompt confirmation of Doug McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In a letter sent to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, the groups highlight McKalip’s deep familiarity with the food and agriculture industry and institutional regulatory and trade experience. The letter also underscores McKalip’s ability to tackle some of the most pressing trade policy issues the industry is facing, including reducing barriers in the Indo-Pacific region, managing ongoing challenges with Mexico and enforcing trade agreements globally.

“Doug McKalip is an excellent nominee for the critical role of Chief Agricultural Negotiator, especially as the United States needs to increase global trade and secure greater market access for U.S. products,” said John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association.

Together, the group of associations represent much of the food and agriculture sector that is responsible for roughly one-fifth of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting more than 21.5 million jobs – constituting more than 14 percent of total U.S. employment. As a net producing nation of food and agriculture products, foreign markets are critical to the economic vitality of the food and agriculture sector. You can view the full letter here.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.