Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump announced the selection of Brooke Rollins for the position of Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins, who currently serves as president and CEO of the America First Institute of Politics, is expected to bring her political experience to the role.
“As the next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will lead efforts to protect American farmers, who truly are the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins will lead a 100,000-person agency with offices in every county in the country, whose mandates include agriculture and nutrition programs, forestry, home and farm lending, food safety, rural development, agricultural research, trade and more. . . Its budget reached $437.2 billion in 2024.
The candidate’s agenda would have implications for America’s food system and its financial portfolios, whether in urban or rural areas. Agriculture Department officials and staff negotiate trade deals, make nutritional recommendations, inspect meat, fight wildfires, and support rural broadband, among other activities.
“Brooke’s commitment to supporting America’s farmer, defending American food self-sufficiency, and restoring America’s agriculturally dependent small towns is unparalleled,” Trump said in the statement.
The America First Policy Institute is a right-leaning think tank, and its staff has worked closely with the Trump campaign to help shape policy for his incoming administration. She chaired the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term.
As Agriculture Secretary, Rollins will advise the administration on how and whether to implement clean fuel tax credits for biofuels at a time when the sector hopes to grow through sustainable aviation fuel production.
The nominee will also guide next year’s renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, amid disagreements over Mexico’s attempt to ban imports of genetically modified corn and Canadian dairy import quotas.
Trump said he again plans to impose sweeping tariffs that will likely impact the agricultural sector.
CNN reported on Friday that Trump was considering offering the role to former US Senator Kelly Loeffler, a strong ally whom he chose to co-chair his inaugural committee.