USApple reacts to Biden’s nomination of chief ag trade negotiator
In a statement from the White House on June 8, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate key leaders to his administration, among them, Doug McKalip, nominee for chief agricultural negotiator for the United States Trade Representative.
The U.S. Apple Association immediately applauded the announcement in a news release, saying, “McKalip is well known to USApple and its leaders, including speaking at a USApple Leadership Luncheon during the organization’s annual Capitol Hill meetings.”
McKalip is in his 29th year of federal service as an agriculture policy leader and trade expert, according to the White House. Since March 2021, he has served as senior advisor to 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.
“Mr. McKalip knows our industry and knows our issues,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair in a release. “We have been communicating with him just over the last few weeks about trade issues critical to the health of the U.S. apple industry. This is a home-run pick. We congratulate him and thank the president for nominating him.”
McKalip formerly served in a leadership capacity in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, according to the White House. He served as a senior advisor to the secretary of agriculture from 2015 to September 2016, and also as acting chief of staff. He was senior advisor for agriculture and rural affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council, where he counseled former President Barack Obama on issues involving farm, ranch and rural policy.
As the director of the White House Rural Council, McKalip coordinated the executive branchwide 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.
As the position is a presidential appointment, the nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
