Summary
- The Senate confirmed Luke Lindberg as USDA Under
Secretary. - The vote count was 77 in favor, 18 against.
- Position oversees trade and foreign agricultural
affairs. - Lindberg aims to expand U.S. agricultural global
markets.
During the first Trump Administration, Lindberg
was the chief strategy officer and head of staff at the Export Import Bank.
Most recently, he was the president and CEO of South Dakota Trade.
During his hearing before the Senate Agriculture
Committee in April, Lindberg stressed the importance of free trade agreements
and interagency cooperation, including with the Departments of Commerce and
Treasury and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in reversing
the trade imbalance and making U.S. agriculture globally
competitive.
Additionally, he acknowledged the part commodity
groupings play in giving priority to trade restrictions that prevent the
agricultural trade deficit from becoming a surplus.
“We’re excited to see Luke’s nomination finally
get approved by the full Senate,”
said Karah Janevicius, USA Rice director of
international trade policy.
“It’s important for the U.S. rice industry to
have key trade personnel in place as the Trump Administration acts to reverse
the agricultural trade deficit. The TFAA under secretary role is critical
to support not only the policies being negotiated but the promotional funds we
use in key markets around the world.”
Lindberg oversaw trade missions to Mexico,
Japan, Taiwan, and Israel when he was employed at South Dakota Trade. These
countries are crucial destinations for American rice exports. Lindberg
graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in business
administration, public policy, and government.
What are Luke Lindberg’s main qualifications for
the trade role in agriculture?
Lindberg has a strong background in
international trade policy related to agriculture. He has served as chief of
staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United
States, where he worked on facilitating and promoting U.S. exports.
Most recently, Lindberg was the president and
CEO of South Dakota Trade, a public-private partnership focused on expanding
international market access for regional exporters, including agricultural
producers.
Lindberg holds multiple degrees from the
University of Maryland, including a BA in Government and Politics, a Master of
Public Policy (MPP), and an MBA. This combination equips him with a solid
foundation in public policy, business administration, and international
affairs.
