Two Trump administration officials received Senate confirmation earlier this month. Julie Callahan will serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and Mindy Brashears will serve as under secretary for food safety at USDA.
Callahan has been with USTR since 2016. Her most recent position was assistant USTR for agricultural affairs and commodity policy. Before her time at the agency, she worked at the Food and Drug Administration.
“President Trump has made it a priority to sign new trade deals and open new markets to high-quality American beef. We look forward to working with Ambassador Callahan to make good on those promises and strengthen America’s cattle and beef industry through new trade opportunities," said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus.
Brashears brings extensive knowledge of the cattle industry and the beef supply chain, according to Bacus. She previously served in the same position from 2020 to 2021 during President Trump’s first term. As under secretary for food safety, Brashears will oversee USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
"We look forward to working with Under Secretary Brashears to help ensure a safe, wholesome food supply while protecting consumer’s trust in the work of America’s cattle producers," said Baucus.