Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade ambassador, Clayton Yeutter, died Saturday at the age of 86

OMAHA (DTN) -- Clayton Yeutter, who served a former U.S. Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade ambassador, died Saturday at the age of 86.Yeutter was a leader on trade issues who helped open up markets for U.S. agriculture.He died at his home in Maryland after a four-year bout with metastatic colon cancer, according to an obituary in the Washington Post.Yeutter was a Nebraska native who rose to become Agriculture Secretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991 after serving as the U.S. Trade Representative for President Ronald Reagan from 1985-1990. He chaired the Republican National Committee from 1991-92 and later was named a counselor to President Bush in 1992.In a visit back to Nebraska last year, the University of Nebraska wrote an article in his honor about Yeutter's work. The article stated Yeutter "helped shape historic trade agreements. He pried open world markets for U.S. beef, which helped farmers and others back home."In a comment during that trip back home, Yeutter said, "You only spend so many years on this Earth. The question is, what do you do with them? Can you do something that will help the next generation coming along?"Yeutter gave $2.5 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in March 2015 to create a new institute focusing on international trade and finance that is named in his honor. (https://nufoundation.org/…)The Washington Post obituary noted his involvement in trade negotiations. The obituary said, "Yeutter made his mark in trade negotiations during the second Reagan term. He led the negotiations of what was then an historic U.S. Canada Free Trade Agreement, which later became NAFTA."In contrast to what some American political figures have been saying recently, most independent analysts would rate NAFTA as one of the most successful trade negotiations ever consummated. Yeutter also played a major role in launching the Uruguay Round of negotiations, which culminated in creation of the World Trade Organization. He and his team negotiated a whole host of bilateral agreements, including historic agreements with Japan on semiconductors, beef and citrus."In addition, he was heavily involved in helping persuade the European Union to begin reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy. As secretary of Agriculture, Yeutter managed the 1990 farm bill process, resulting in the most market oriented policy the U.S. had followed since the 1930s." (http://www.legacy.com/…)When he nominated Yeutter to be Agriculture secretary, former President Bush said, "Somebody reminded me Yeutter rhymes with fighter. And that's what he is -- tough as nails, knowledgeable. And that's why I picked him. And I know he's going to fight hard for farming, for fair trade, and for all the other important responsibilities of this Department." (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/…)"Former President Reagan and Bush, Sr. Advisor Clayton Yeutter was a fierce advocate for Nebraska ag producers," tweeted Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. "Clayton's work has left an indelible mark on our state, and will help grow Nebraska for years to come."Ronnie Green, chancellor of the University of Nebraska, also said on Twitter, "America and Nebraska lost a giant last night, and I lost a dear friend and mentor."Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa stated of Yeutter, "I remember him best as Secretary of Ag & Midwest supporter of family farm."Others on social media praised Yeutter's work on work on trade.