NGFA congratulates Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative

ARLINGTON, Va., March 17, 2021 – National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert today congratulated Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative. The Senate on March 17 confirmed Tai, President Biden’s nominee to be the nation’s chief trade negotiator, with a 98-0 vote. 

“Ambassador Tai is eminently qualified to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative and has demonstrated her deep familiarity with opening foreign markets and reducing barriers for U.S. food and agriculture as well as developing strong bipartisan support for trade agreements,” Seyfert said. “She has the experience and expertise to secure greater market access for U.S. grain, feed and oilseed products and to ensure enforcement of clear and fair rules with our trading partners. The NGFA looks forward to working with Ambassador Tai and is ready to engage with her and any new staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.”

Prior to serving seven years as chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, Tai was chief council for China trade enforcement at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. NGFA and other agricultural groups supported Tai’s confirmation in letters to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, which unanimously advanced her nomination on March 3.                              

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NGFA, established in 1896, consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 7,000 facilities and handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. NGFA also consists of 33 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, and NGFA is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.