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Lindberg addresses ag trade deficit during confirmation hearing

President Trump’s nominee for USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs says America’s ag trade deficit is impacting the entire U.S. economy.

During a confirmation hearing before the Senate Ag CommitteeTuesday, Luke Lindberg, who is currently president and CEO of South Dakota Trade, says he supports free trade agreements that could help reverse the growing deficit.

“America’s agricultural trade deficit, which is the worst in American history, is driven by a number of factors, but principally by the lack of an America-first trade agenda that prioritizes market access for our farmers and ranchers,” Lindberg said. “For too long, we’ve let other countries access our market and not negotiated reciprocal access to theirs.”

Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, says Lindberg has a good understanding of export markets.

“If confirmed, you’ll need to be a strong advocate for farmers and ranchers,” Klobuchar said, “and for expanding markets in the face of what I consider, not speaking for everyone up here, chaotic trade policy.”

Chairman John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, says Lindberg would face a big task in helping expand international market access at a time when U.S. producers face numerous headwinds.

“The costs for fuel, seed, and fertilizer remain high as do interest rates,” Boozman said. “Farmers everywhere are losing money, all while in desperate need of an updated farm bill safety net and risk management tools.”

Lindberg says he’s up to the challenge.

“In addition to helping farmers and ranchers navigate short-term changes aimed at more fair trade deals, I stand ready to explore new export markets,” Lindberg said, “and hold our existing export markets accountable to the deals they made with our family farms.”

The Senate Ag Committee is expected to vote on advancing Lindberg’s nomination to the full Senate in the coming days.