October 18, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – A coalition of 170 U.S. food and agriculture industry members call for the swift confirmation of Elaine Trevino to serve as Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. In a letter sent to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the group sites Trevino’s strong familiarity with the industries through her work in several critical roles, including her current position leading the Almond Alliance of California, her previous role as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for California, and as a current member of USDA’s Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee. The letter underscores the need to address growing trade challenges with Mexico, China, and the European Union, and notes that Trevino’s skills will deliver success on these issues.

“We applaud President Biden’s nomination of Elaine Trevino to fill the critical role of Chief Agriculture Negotiator and respectfully recommend her prompt confirmation,” said John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “Securing greater market access for U.S. products, ensuring enforcement of existing trade agreements, and tackling non-tariff barriers to global trade is critical for our nation’s food and agriculture workers. Ms. Trevino’s meaningful experience and qualifications will help our industry sectors fairly compete and thrive in the global economy. We would like to have her on the job at the earliest possible date.”

Together, the coalition members represent the vast majority of the food and agriculture sector, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the country’s economic activity and directly supporting over 20 million jobs – constituting nearly 13 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.