WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The White House announced Wednesday that U.S. President Joe Biden will nominate Doug McKalip as the next Chief Agriculture Trade Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Rep.

McKalip has served for many years as a U.S. Department of Agriculture Official and was the Senior Advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in trade, national safety and regulations affecting animal and plant health since March 2021.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai stated in a statement that Doug McKalip was a qualified nominee who has decades of public service experience.

His institutional knowledge of USDA covers multiple administrations. He has served as Secretary Vilsack’s trusted advisor and leader in various offices. This will allow us to continue our close cooperation between agencies which has resulted in so much success.

This position guides USTR in negotiations to boost U.S. farm exports. For example, a recent agreement that allows more U.S. beef to Japan.

The United States is locked in a dispute against Canada regarding Ottawa’s allocations of milk import quotas. It’s part of the U.S. – Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. USTR believes this violates U.S. agreed access to Canada’s protected dairy market.