Alan F. Johnson
Ambassador, Chief Agricultural Negotiator
State

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Appointee's Background: Ambassador Johnson came to U.S. Trade Representative's Office in the Department of State with considerable agricultural experience. In addition to working as the agriculture, environment and trade legislative aide for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), he served as president of the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), an industry organization. He served as executive vice president at NOPA. He was the CEO of two farmer organizations, Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board. He also lead many producer and agribusiness trade coalitions. He was nominated for this position by President George W. Bush, and confirmed by the Senate on July 19, 2001. He grew up in Iowa working on soybean, corn, cattle, hog, and chicken farms. He also worked at grain elevators and feed and seed dealers, as well as building grain bins and farm equipment. His family still lives in rural Iowa. Mr. Johnson received his bachelor's degree from George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.; and his Masters of Business Administration, Master of Art in Food Research, and Certificate in Public Management from Stanford University in Stanford, Calif. Job Description: The Chief Agriculture Negotiator for the United States conducts critical trade negotiations and enforces trade agreements that relate to U.S. agricultural products and services. Also works to expand the access for America's farmers and agricultural producers to overseas markets and is responsible for directing all U.S. agriculture trade negotiations anywhere in the world. This includes multilaterally in the World Trade Organization (WTO), regionally in the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and bilaterally with various countries and groups of countries such as Australia, Central America, Chile, Morocco, and the South African Customs Union. The ambassador also resolves agricultural trade disputes and enforces trade agreements, including issues related to new technologies, subsidies, and tariff and non-tariff barriers and meets regularly with domestic agricultural industry groups to assure their interests are represented in trade. He or she also coordinates closely with U.S. government regulatory agencies to assure that rules and policies in international trade are based on sound science. Type of appointment: Presidential Approximate salary: Unknown  Contact Information: 600 17th Street, N.W. Washington DC 20508 888-473-8787

Alan F. Johnson In the News