AMBASSADOR KATHERINE TAI MAKES STATEMENT FOLLOWING SENATE’S CONFIRMATION VOTE INSTITUTING DOUG MCKALIP AS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR IN THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Upon Doug McKalip’s confirmation on December 22, 2022 by the Senate to the role of Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States (US) Trade Representative, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai made a statement expressing support for McKalip upon his confirmation.

In her statement, Tai thanked the members of the US Senate who supported President Biden’s nomination of McKalip and commended McKalip’s ability to generate broad bipartisan support from Congress, governors, and state agricultural commissions along with endorsements from key stakeholders since his nomination in June of 2022.

In this role, Tai said McKalip is expected to build on the Biden Administrations record to expand market access to agricultural products and in representing interests of American farmers, ranchers, producers and workers. To bring more US products to markets outside the US, McKalip will take part in advancing the strong collaboration between USTR and USDA and address the risk of global food security.

Washington State is home to the most trade dependent potato growers in the country.  It is critical that the office of the USTR have a skilled and qualified agriculture trade negotiator.  This position has been vacant for almost two years which left a big hole in our government’s ability to create a fair and balanced trading system for our farmers.  The WSPC applauds the actions of the US Senate for filling this critical position within the USTR office.    

Doug McKalip’s Biography

• Twenty-nine years of federal service as an agriculture policy leader and trade expert.
• Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack since March of 2021 on trade, national security, animal and plant health regulations and other domestic and international issues.
• Served in a leadership role for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Biotechnology Regulatory Services.
• Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Agriculture from 2015 to September of 2016.
• Senior Advisor for Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Counsel provided advisement to President Barack Obama on farm, ranch and rural policy related issues.
• Served as Director of the White House Rural Council.
• Coordinated the Executive branch-wide response to 2012-2013 drought.
• Served in a variety of USDA roles: Confidential Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the National Resources Conservation Service.
• Master’s degree in Public Policy from the American University in Washington, D.C.
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
• Graduate of the Executive Fellows Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2020
• Fellow in the California Agricultural Leadership DC Exchange in 2018.
• Graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA. In 2005.
• Participant in the Student Council for U.S. Affairs at the United States Military Academy at West Point.