Ernst Commends Long-Awaited Nomination of Iowan for Key USDA Trade Position

WASHINGTON— As Iowa native, Alexis Taylor – nominee to be Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs – testified today during her nomination hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) highlighted their similar backgrounds and the importance of this trade position.

“We both grew up on our family farms, we both graduated from the Iowa State University, we also served in our great United States Army, and I truly want to thank you for your commitment not only to our farms but commitment to the greater good of our wonderful country.

“It is incredibly important that we have this role filled. We have over 85,000 farms in Iowa and we are the top producer of our nation’s pork, eggs, corn, soybeans, and ethanol. Our farmers and our trade partners have waited over 20 months for the Biden administration to prioritize trade challenges and to seek these new opportunities,” said Senator Joni Ernst.

To watch Ernst’s opening remarks, click HERE.

Senator Ernst went on to ask Ms. Taylor how she will work with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and others in the administration to ensure agricultural trade is a priority in Indo-Pacific discussions and to ensure science-based regulatory requirements are enforced. To watch Ernst’s full line of questioning, click HERE.

Ernst has previously called on the Biden administration to prioritize nominating a quality candidate for this trade role – as it pertains to the success of Iowa’s agriculture community and the state’s economy.

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