Lindberg seeks sales in Guatemala, El Salvador

As he was about to leave on a trade mission to Guatemala and El Salvador this week, Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg said Friday he hopes to increase sales of U.S. ethanol and meat, among other products. 

In a telephone interview before he traveled, Lindberg described the trip as a “rapid response” mission after the Trump administration finalized trade agreements with Guatemala and El Salvador.

Lindberg said he was pleased that Guatemala has higher blend rates for ethanol and that El Salvador has accepted a U.S. government certificate for unprocessed seafood, removing a nontariff barrier that caused trade friction.

Lindberg noted that the latest USDA estimate reduces the expected agricultural trade deficit — the difference between agricultural exports and imports — to $29 billion, a $21 billion drop from the previous estimate of about $50 billion.

He acknowledged that a large component of the change is due to a reduction in the level of imports coming into the United States. That should mean Americans will buy more American products, he said. 

Lindberg testified before the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday. 

Lindberg said he would not comment on rumors that President Trump will nominate him to succeed Cindy McCain as the executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, which is based in Rome.