Rob Portman to make “deep cuts” in US farm tariffs and other subsidies has the US cotton industry
on edge. At a recent meeting in Geneva with trade ministers from some of the world’s largest
countries, Portman promised major concessions in order to get the Doha Round of trade
liberalization talks back on track. While urging other developed countries to match the US
proposals, Portman said developing countries also must be prepared to offer concessions
commensurate with their ability to contribute to the cause of free trade
Woods Eastland, president of the National Cotton Council, said Portman’s proposals represent
a “very aggressive stance” and would require significant cuts in US farm programs if agreed to by
members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Congress. Warning that there must be “
corresponding gains in market access,” Eastland said, “The troubling aspect for the US cotton
industry is that China – the world’s largest cotton market – continues to seek special treatment in
the WTO so it can avoid market access concessions.” In addition, he said, the US cotton industry
cannot allow countries with highly competitive agricultural products to avoid making concessions “
simply based on their self-declaration as a developing country.”
Regardless of what happens, he said, it is imperative Congress provides programs that result
in “an effective safety net” for US cotton producers.
October 2005
