Senators grill agricultural negotiator nominee on soybeans, Argentine beef

Senate Finance Committee members on Wednesday grilled the president’s pick to serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, focusing on soybean farmers and U.S. support for Argentina – particularly President Trump’s plan to boost imports of Argentine beef. The nominee – Assistant USTR for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy Julie Callahan – insisted that the agency is laser-focused on opening market access for U.S. producers broadly, including soybean farmers and cattle ranchers. During her...