The new American president Joe Biden has nominated the experienced former minister Tom Vilsack (69) as the new Secretary of Agriculture. With this choice, Biden selects one of his key agricultural advisors and a seasoned veteran of that ministry: Vilsack previously served as USDA Secretary under former President Barack Obama.
Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, has strong ties with Biden. He will likely focus on addressing a food crisis among poor American families. This food package situation has worsened due to the coronavirus pandemic. His tenure as governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007 works in his favor, since Iowa and other Midwest states prefer Vilsack over someone from another region.
“With an increasing hunger crisis, farmers threatened with bankruptcy, and rural communities struggling to cope with the economic effects of the pandemic, Biden was looking for someone with experience who can get started immediately. That is why Biden chose not fellow contender and former senator Heidi Heitkamp but someone already familiar with the USDA ministry.
Another frequently mentioned candidate for the agriculture ministry, Representative Marcia Fudge, is being nominated by Biden for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Biden expects that department will have to play a large 'social' role in the coming years because many homeowners have lost their income and mortgages due to the corona crisis and face homelessness.
Another notable nomination is that of Katherine Tai to serve as the United States Trade Representative. She is currently a senior diplomat handling trade issues with China and will have to restore the disrupted U.S.-China trade relationship.
The role is a cabinet-level position, and Tai would be the first Asian American and the first woman of color to hold the post. Tai has extensive experience with trade relations with China and speaks fluent Mandarin.
American farmers are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the near future, though they are satisfied with their current situation. According to the annual Ag Barometer from Purdue University, their confidence for the coming years has dropped by over ten percent, from 183 to 167 points.
The attitude of farmers toward the trade dispute with China has shifted over this year, Purdue University said Tuesday. American farmers were initially strong supporters of President Trump's trade war with China, believing Beijing would be forced to change its trade practices.
But according to the Ag Barometer, only half now believe the trade war will be resolved in their favor. Even fewer American farmers believe China will comply with the "phase one" obligations from the Trump administration's trade deal.
China promised this year to purchase $36.6 billion worth of American food, agricultural, and seafood products but has so far bought less than half that amount – $15.6 billion.