Dr. Julie Callahan’s nomination for chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will head to the Senate floor after the Senate Finance Committee voted to advance her nomination on Wednesday.
Committee members voted 17-10 to advance her nomination, with three Democrats voting with their Republican colleagues in her favor – Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Mark Warner of Virginia, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Sen. Warnock also serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
In comments before the committee earlier in the day, Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, cited Dr. Callahan’s support among U.S. ag industry groups and “decades of expertise” working in agriculture and international trade when he urged his colleagues to support her nomination.
If approved, Dr. Callahan would move to the chief agricultural negotiator position from her current role as assistant USTR for agricultural affairs and commodity policy. She has worked at the agency’s agricultural affairs since 2016, after holding roles at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Dr. Callahan brings a deep understanding of global agricultural trade – rooted in her service since 2016 at the Office of the United States Trade Representative overseeing agricultural affairs and commodity policy – and a proven record advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture in complex negotiations,” NCC said earlier in a joint letter expressing support. “She has worked repeatedly with our organizations on behalf of American agriculture to level the playing field and knock down unfair barriers to trade. Swiftly confirming her and filling this position is vitally important as negotiations continue on reciprocal tariffs and access for U.S. agricultural products with dozens of countries.”
NCC’s Tom Super and Harrison Kircher welcome Julie Callahan, Asst U.S. Trade Representative for Ag Affairs and Commodity Policy, prior to her remarks at NCC’s 2025Annual Conference
