What is the cotton industrys position on WTO negotiations?
The declaration on agriculture, if achieved, could open up more markets for U.S. cotton worldwide. In it, the countries commit to negotiate rules to further reform agricultural trade. This would be accomplished by reducing, with a view to phasing out, export subsidies, as well as gaining substantial improvements in market access and substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support. On the other hand, the National Cotton Council is somewhat concerned about aspects of the negotiating agenda for manufactured goods, including textiles. There is language in the declaration that suggests developing countries will not have to make reciprocal tariff concessions. The declaration also commits the U.S. to more negotiations involving U.S. application of countervailing duty and anti-dumping laws. The NCC believes strongly that our nation’s goal should be to receive reciprocal market access for our products. Other countries should open their markets to the same extent. This is particularl
