AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.

The Senate voted 56 to 43 to approve Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative. He is a former Air Force lawyer and previously served as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s chief of staff during Trump’s first term. Geer played a pivotal role in negotiating the USMCA Agreement with Canada and Mexico. Greer was also involved in talks with China when the U.S. and China hit each other’s products with tariffs.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor congratulated Greer. She said the U.S. biofuels industry is focused on accelerating growth through international sales. This will require a strong voice on behalf of American farmers and biofuel producers when negotiating new trade agreements. Mr. Greer is qualified to represent the American ethanol industry and its farm partners.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said significant market access improvements for red meat were achieved under the previous Trump Administration. This included critical markets such as Japan, China and Europe. Greer played a key role in these efforts and the USMEF looks forward to working with him to expand global U.S. beef, pork and lamb opportunities.

Greer takes the reigns as U.S. agriculture is facing growing trade imbalances and tariff threats. Many Democrats voted against Greer’s nomination in protest of Trump’s unpredictable approach to trade.

Read more on Jamieson Greer being confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative here.