Ibach Presses Senate Panel on Restoring U.S. Beef Plant Access to China

USDA trade nominee Greg Ibach told the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that pressing China to relist delisted U.S. beef plants would be an immediate priority if he is confirmed, a stakes-heavy assignment given that China steered $17 billion toward agriculture under the administration's 30-30 agreement.

Ibach, nominated as undersecretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, appeared before the committee as U.S. exporters wait to see whether Beijing will restore eligibility for beef plants it delisted. China removed the plants from its approved list following President Donald Trump's September meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"We have a number of plants across the United States that have been delisted for one reason or another, and I think we need to press on China to try to relist those plants to make them eligible once again to be able to export into China," Ibach said.

If confirmed, he would oversee agricultural trade policy amid tariff tensions with Canada, the European Union and Brazil, alongside the ongoing negotiations with China. He told senators that expanding market access and dismantling trade barriers would top his agenda.

Who is Greg Ibach?

Ibach is a fifth-generation Nebraska farmer and rancher. He would replace Luke Lindberg, who left USDA last month to become executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme. His résumé spans two decades of agricultural administration: USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs from 2017 to 2025, and Nebraska agriculture director from 2005 to 2017.

The hearing also touched on the administration's recent transfer of the Food for Peace program to USDA and the 30-30 agreement with China, which earmarks $17 billion for agriculture.

What does this change for farm bill negotiations?

The hearing doubled as a status report on the stalled five-year farm bill. Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said bipartisan negotiations are continuing and told reporters afterward that lawmakers are working to resolve their differences, arguing talks should center on farmers rather than party politics.

Boozman pointed to a possible compromise involving a two-year delay, an idea raised by Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and said Senate Majority Leader John Thune is committed to moving the legislation forward. The path for additional farm aid, including whether it could ride in a reconciliation package, remains uncertain.

Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., laid out the Democratic ask: changes to SNAP cost-sharing requirements, year-round E15 approval, and funding for voluntary conservation programs. She also criticized the administration's tariffs, which she said have driven up input costs and put export markets at risk.

"The administration's tariffs have been very, very bad for farmers," Klobuchar said.

Farm Credit Administration nominees face questions on credit conditions

The committee also considered three Trump nominations to the Farm Credit Administration board:

• Carl Bednarski of Michigan
• John Grunewald of Oklahoma
• James Russell Middleton of Virginia

Senators pressed the nominees on tighter credit conditions and the financial pressures bearing down on farmers and ranchers, a signal that credit availability remains a live concern for operations carrying elevated input costs.

What comes next

Ibach's confirmation would put a veteran of two USDA administrations in charge of the beef-access fight with China at a moment when tariff policy has strained relationships with Canada, the European Union and Brazil simultaneously. Boozman's suggestion of a two-year farm bill delay, paired with an uncertain route for additional aid, means growers may wait well beyond this hearing for fiscal clarity, while the fate of the delisted beef plants rests on negotiations Ibach would lead.