Hawkeye Reporter

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned two nominees for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office during a hearing in Washington, focusing on agricultural trade issues that affect Iowa farmers. The nominees were Julie Callahan, who has been nominated for Chief Agricultural Negotiator, and Jeffrey Goettman, nominated for Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.

Grassley raised concerns about current trade policies and their impact on farming income. He highlighted the challenges posed by low commodity prices and high input costs, noting that fertilizer is the second highest expense for farmers. He specifically addressed the duties imposed on phosphate imports from Morocco under the Biden administration, which have limited American farmers' access to Moroccan phosphate—a source that accounts for about 70 percent of global reserves.

"I’ve been speaking a lot recently about the income crisis in farming, particularly in crops," Grassley said. "Farmers are facing low commodity prices and high input costs. The second highest input cost for farmers is fertilizer. So, directing this not in the form of question but a statement to Dr. Callahan and Mr. Goettman, I know that the responsibility for this rests with the Commerce Department, not at the Trade Representative’s Office."

He continued: "However, I would hope that you take back to your team the message to get rid of the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for American farmers."

Grassley also discussed trade relations with China amid ongoing talks between U.S. and Chinese leaders regarding agricultural exports such as soybeans and beef. He pressed Callahan on how she would address non-tariff barriers faced by U.S. producers seeking access to Chinese markets.

"So, to you, Dr. Callahan, this question based on the fact that President Trump is meeting with President Xi [of] China: … we’re all hoping for good news from their meeting, especially on soybean exports, and I guess there’s some news on that today," he said.

"There are many non-tariff barriers for U.S. farmers hoping to get their products sold to China, including beef producers."

He asked: "So, what are some of these non-tariff barriers? And how will you continue to push China to comply with rules-based trade, and even their own regulations, to allow more [American] products into China?"

Grassley also addressed trade relations with Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), emphasizing dairy market access as a key concern among Iowa farmers.

"And for you and Mr. Goettman: as we look to reviewing the USMCA now that Mexico’s GMO corn issue is resolved, the number one issue that I hear from Iowa farmers on USMCA is getting U.S. dairy into Canada," Grassley said.

"So, for you two, is the USMCA dairy issue an enforcement issue, or are there some changes that we should push for in the review to get more dairy into Canada?"

The senator’s questions reflect ongoing concerns among Midwestern agricultural producers about international market access and federal policy decisions affecting farm profitability.