China is determined to grow more self-sufficient, but the country is also widely expected to remain a growing importer of meat and grains for years to come as the Chinese economy and demand grows, outstripping production capacity, according to economists and new government forecasts.

The Department of Agriculture and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have announced key staff appointments, and former Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud has taken a new role with Aimpoint Research.

The U.S. and the U.K. still have a lot of negotiating ahead of them, but the British will likely agree to a free trade agreement that allows for increased trade in beef, pork and poultry, says Gregg Doud, the U.S. Trade Representative’s top agriculture negotiator.

President Donald Trump gets a shot at this week's Republican National Convention to demonstrate he's maintained the strong support that he needs in farm country and battleground states to win re-election this fall. 

USDA announces new export sales of 405,000 metric tons of corn and 400,000 tons of soybeans to China for delivery in the 2020-21 marketing year, providing new evidence that Chinese demand remains strong despite tensions between the two countries.

The Washington offices of the U.S. Trade Representative are buzzing as collaboration with China over the “phase one” deal continues and final preparations are made for the launch of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud said he expects both deals will lead to increased sales of U.S. farm products. 

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced Friday he’s chosen Julie Callahan – an FDA and USDA alumnus – to work side-by-side with Ambassador Gregg Doud, representing the interests of the U.S. ag sector around the globe.