On Saturday evening, on a vote of 77-18, the U.S. Senate confirmed Luke Lindberg as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom applauded the strong showing of bipartisan support in the Senate, noting Lindberg’s expertise on trade issues and his passion for expanding agricultural exports. Lindberg was formerly chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank. He more recently worked under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at the America First Policy Institute and served as president and CEO of South Dakota Trade, an organization that helps South Dakota companies expand global business opportunities.

When the Senate returns from its August recess, Halstrom also urges swift confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan, President Trump’s nominee to serve as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.