A Friendly Face in the U.S. Trade Office

There is likely to be more beef served during trade discussions, as Gregg Doud was named by President Donald Trump to be chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Doud is currently president of the Commodity Markets Council. Prior, he was a senior staff member of the Senate Agriculture Committee for Sen. Pat Roberts and Sen. Thad Cochran. While working for the Senate Agriculture Committee, he assisted in drafting the 2012 Senate farm bill, along with legislation regarding many other issues.

“I’m confident that Gregg’s experience with the global agriculture sector and his Kansas common sense will serve American agriculture well,” Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts said in a statement, according to news site Politico.

Cattlemen will also remember Doud served as the chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for eight years. During that time, Doud was involved with reopening important Asian markets to U.S. beef.

“Gregg has been a friend and colleague for many years, and I can testify first-hand that America’s cattlemen and women will be well-served by having Gregg at the table as agricultural trade deals are hammered out. The U.S. Senate should confirm his nomination as soon as possible,” says Colin Woodall, NCBA senior vice president of government affairs.

“He understands as well as anybody the importance of exports for our industry. As important trade negotiations take place over NAFTA and hopefully a bilateral agreement with Japan, we look forward to working with Gregg and his team to ensure that the voice of American beef producers is heard loud and clear,” Woodall adds.

Doud has also worked for the U.S. Wheat Associates and the World Perspectives firm.  He was raised on a farm near Mankato, Kan., and owns part of his family’s farm that is more 100 years old and operated by his parents.  He and his family live on their horse farm in Lothian, Maryland.