Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 11/10/17

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has placed a hold on the confirmation of Gregory Doud, President Donald Trump's nominee for USTR's chief agricultural negotiator, because of concerns surrounding a controversial produce proposal the U.S. has put on the table in the NAFTA 2.0 talks, sources told Pro Trade's Megan Cassella. 

Flake, who is not afraid to tangle with Trump and now free of reelection concerns after announcing his retirement recently, first put a hold on Doud late last week because of the seasonal produce proposal, which is aimed at protecting U.S. farmers from cheaper Mexican imports. Growers in southeastern states like Florida and Georgia support the proposal. But Flake and other critics argue it would raise production costs, reduce the selection of fruits and vegetables for U.S. consumers, and hurt growers in Western states like Flake's home of Arizona, where the largest U.S. port of entry for produce from Mexico is located.

What has to give? Flake has not made clear what he wants to see from the administration in order to lift the hold - but in a letter Thursday to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, he asked whether USTR would commit to withdrawing the proposal at the fifth round of the NAFTA talks, slated to begin next week in Mexico City.

"Efforts that will lead to unnecessary restrictions on trade with our North American partners will have devastating economic consequences both in Arizona and nationwide," Flake wrote.