Jan. 16, 2025

By Joe Sneve, The Dakota Scout

Another South Dakotan is heading to the nation’s capital to work for President-elect Donald Trump.

The incoming commander-in-chief of the United States has nominated Luke Lindberg of Harrisburg to serve as undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, a key international relations position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The job, currently held by Undersecretary Alexis Taylor, is considered the department’s top diplomat, charged with brokering trade deals in foreign markets for farmers and ranchers. If confirmed, Lindberg will oversee Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs staff in 95 offices in foreign countries.

“Luke will work to make sure American farmers and ranchers get the smart trade deals that they deserve,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account Thursday, announcing the nomination and congratulating Lindberg on the distinction.

Lindberg is the president and CEO of South Dakota Trade, a state-backed organization formed in 2023 to broker trade deals for South Dakota businesses, and previously served as the former chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

“I’d like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to serve our farmers and ranchers in this capacity,” Lindberg said in a statement provided to The Dakota Scout. “Rural Americans are staring down the largest agricultural trade deficit on record, and we’re going to fix it. America will once again feed the world.”

The undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs position requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate, where Lindberg’s father-in-law, Sen. John Thune, serves as majority leader.

Lindberg is expected to continue leading South Dakota Trade until he is confirmed.

“Luke was the driving force behind founding our organization, and his impact on international trade here in South Dakota is undeniable, and I’m excited to see what he’s able to accomplish for America’s ag producers in this next role,” said Joe Beck, the board chair for South Dakota Trade, which was spearheaded by Lindberg and provides international trade education courses for businesses, ranchers and farmers. The nonprofit also orchestrates trade missions to foreign markets.

“We will be proud to have ‘one of our own’ leading the nation in this capacity and wish him all the best — his South Dakota values and perspective will serve him well,” Beck said.

South Dakota Economic Development Commissioner Joe Fiala said the state’s ag producers’ interests are in good hands both with South Dakota Trade and Lindberg in a leadership role at the USDA.

“South Dakota Trade has an incredible team, and they have become a critical tool in our state’s economic development tool kit,” he said. “We have benefited greatly from Luke’s leadership, and when he is confirmed, I look forward to continuing to work with the rest of the team and his successor.”

Lindberg agreed.

“The opportunities for South Dakota to compete and win on the world stage are endless, and the South Dakota Trade team is just getting started,” he said. “It’s been an honor to work alongside Gov. Noem, Lt. Gov. Rhoden and other state leaders in establishing South Dakota Trade, and I’m confident the future of both the organization and our international trade in our state are bright.”

Lindberg is the latest in a string of South Dakotans to take high-profile jobs in Washington. Thune was elected majority leader in the Senate following the November election, and Gov. Kristi Noem is likely to be confirmed by the Senate as the Department of Homeland Security secretary this month.

The story is brought to you in partnership with The Dakota Scout, a local news source focused on government and politics. To learn more, click here.