U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi is addressing the challenges faced by American agricultural producers in exporting goods internationally. During a Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing, she urged Luke Lindberg, nominee for Undersecretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, to tackle non-tariff barriers limiting U.S. exports.
Hyde-Smith highlighted the need for equitable trading opportunities, especially as nations like China exploit markets. She said, “Mississippi producers are under increasing pressure and it is critical that President Trump’s team at the Department of Agriculture be fully engaged as the administration tries to reframe our trade policies.”
She questioned Lindberg on how he would ensure that trade restrictions due to animal disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza, are science-based and lifted promptly. Hyde-Smith recalled past challenges with China, saying, “Some countries, like China, use these disease outbreaks as an excuse for unjustified trade barriers.”
Lindberg replied, expressing his commitment to resolving such issues: “I’m also a fierce advocate. I want to show up in those countries, knock the door down, and say to them, ‘It’s time to open up and it’s time to move forward, and this is no longer acceptable under President Trump and the America First trade agenda.’”
The catfish industry was another focus. Hyde-Smith asked Lindberg to enforce U.S. inspection standards for catfish imports amid competition from subsidized imports. She emphasized Mississippi’s leadership in quality catfish production but faced unfair competition, particularly from Vietnam.
Lindberg committed to addressing this, noting, “I will absolutely work across my agency at USDA, should I be confirmed to this role, to ensure that exactly what you’re saying, as well as with our interagency partners, to make sure our catfish producers have the ability to sell here domestically.”
