Part 2: USDA Undersecretary Alexis Taylor on Trade

The subject of trade consistently holds significance for agriculture. According to Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, commodity trade serves not only to support farmers but also...

“In 2021, US agricultural exports supported more than 1.2 million jobs and generated nearly $190 billion in additional economic activity. That economic activity is not only critical to supporting the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers but the communities that they are living in. USDA is committed to opening new markets and reducing and eliminating trade barriers for U.S. producers.”

She said at the NAFB annual meeting that it’s important to educate people outside of agriculture on the benefits of ag trade.

“One priority area for the administration has is to build trust with and within the global trading system. While everyone at this meeting may acutely understand the benefits that trade brings to the agricultural sector, not everyone necessarily in the United States or around the world does. And those benefits have not necessarily been felt equally amongst all parts of the agricultural sector. This is why in my first year in this position, I've been committed to creating new market opportunities worldwide for our producers, exporters, agribusinesses.”