Callahan confirmed as USTR chief Ag negotiator

During the final night of the 119th Congress, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Julie Callahan as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) chief agriculture negotiator.

“We are thrilled to see Dr. Callahan make it over the finish line before the end of the year and we know with certainty she is going to be a positive force for U.S. agriculture in this role,” said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann. “Her impressive résumé, along with her track record both at the negotiating table and as a manager and representative for U.S. agriculture will bode well for a seamless transition where she can continue to fight for U.S. products, like rice.”

Ambassador Callahan has served in USTR’s agriculture office since 2016 and been the highest-level career agricultural negotiator within the agency since 2020. Under her leadership, USTR has supported several actions against India at the World Trade Organization (see USA Rice Daily, July 17, 2025).

As chief agricultural negotiator, Callahan will lead efforts to expand export opportunities for U.S. rice farmers, address unfair trade practices, and push for science-based trade rules. This role is particularly important as the U.S. rice industry faces increasing competition from heavily subsidized global suppliers and ongoing barriers related to phytosanitary measures, technical regulations, and tariffs.

“Dr. Callahan fully understands our industry’s sensitivities and concerns around India’s over-subsidization and the role it plays in the global rice market,” Bachmann said. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with her and her team to advance trade policies that support U.S. rice producers and exporters on a level playing field.”

The Senate also confirmed Laura DiBella to be federal maritime commissioner with a term expiring June 30, 2028. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is made up of five commissioners with one commissioner designated by the President to serve as chairman. With DiBella’s confirmation, the chairmanship position remains vacant. Meanwhile, Robert Harvey, Trump’s nominee for the final FMC vacancy is still awaiting a vote by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to advance his nomination.