Dr. Murphy has been a lead trade negotiator for the U.S. Government, resolving trade problems and successfully concluding trade agreements with more than 40 countries on a wide variety of agricultural, industrial and services issues. He served for over three decades in various international economic and trade policy positions in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the White House, and the Department of the Treasury.
For 13 years Dr. Murphy was the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs (AUSTR). He chaired interagency teams to develop U.S. trade policy on agricultural issues in consultation with private stakeholders and the U.S. Congress. He also led U.S. delegations in negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and with foreign governments. He negotiated market-opening agreements involving processed foods, beverages and bulk commodities, and addressed issues arising from agricultural biotechnology, cloning and other new technologies.

Dr. Murphy led the USG interagency team that provided leadership for the successful launch of the WTO agricultural negotiations in the Doha Round and developed an innovative and comprehensive U.S. negotiating proposal submitted to these negotiations. He also led an interagency team that negotiated the first U.S.-EU Wine Agreement in over 20 years, successfully addressing sensitive issues for both sides and facilitating wine trade. In 2008-2009, Dr. Murphy led the U.S. team that negotiated an agreement providing significantly improved access for U.S. beef into the EU market. He also managed the launch of the agricultural sector negotiations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership initiative.

Dr. Murphy holds a B.A. in political science from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California.