Ag groups seek confirmation of U.S.-Mexico ambassador

Former Sen. Kenneth Salazar widely regarded by food and agricultural groups to serve as ambassador to Mexico.

July 22, 2021

1 Min Read
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A coalition of 33 U.S. food and agriculture industry members called for the prompt confirmation of the Honorable Kenneth Salazar to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. In a letter sent to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the groups site Salazar’s proven statesmanship and keen insights into the long, rich and complex relationship between the United States and Mexico.

The letter acknowledges the many significant challenges regarding labor, migration, and trade, and notes that Senator Salazar’s skills will strengthen the two countries’ important bilateral relationship.

“NAFTA has yielded strong benefits to both countries and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement promises to build upon those gains,” the letter notes. “However, issues regarding labor, migration and trade related policies face significant challenges.”

“We applaud President Biden’s nomination of Senator Salazar to fill the critical ambassadorial role to Mexico and respectfully recommend his prompt confirmation,” says John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “Mexico is one of America’s most important food and agriculture trade partners, and Senator Salazar’s unique qualifications and leadership background will strengthen our bilateral relationship even further.”

Together, the group of associations represent much of the food and agriculture sector that is responsible for roughly one-fifth of the country's economic activity, directly supporting more than 20 million jobs - constituting more than 13% of total U.S. employment. As a net producing nation of food and agriculture products, foreign markets are critical to the economic vitality of the food and agriculture sector.

Signing onto the letter includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grain and Feed Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, CropLife America, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association and others.

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