ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S. — The growers of the American Soybean Association (ASA) applauded the Senate Finance Committee’s confirmation of Darci Vetter as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). 

ASA worked extensively with Vetter in her former role as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“Right now, agriculture is among the brightest spots in our nation’s global trade portfolio. Last year we exported more than $141 billion in agricultural products — the largest share of that in the form of soybeans. This contributes to a positive agricultural trade balance of $31 billion and millions of jobs here at home,” said ASA President Ray Gaesser. “The job for which Ms. Vetter was confirmed today is to ensure that the success of the partnerships between American agriculture and our foreign customers continues to grow and strengthen. 

“As we work to remove trade barriers worldwide as well as negotiate the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with Europe and on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Pacific Rim countries, Ms. Vetter’s knowledge and experience, not only of international trade but also the specific needs of our industry, are extremely powerful assets. ASA congratulates Ms. Vetter on a well-deserved confirmation, and we call on the full Senate to confirm her as quickly as possible so that we may continue our cooperation to advance the important role of U.S. soy on the global stage.”