The NCC is deeply disappointed that the House approved an amendment by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Flake that would prohibit the transfer of funds to the Brazilian Cotton Institute. If enacted this would result in the United States violating the Framework Agreement negotiated by the U.S. and Brazilian governments. The agreement allowed Brazil to withhold implementation of prohibitively high tariffs on U.S. exports and provided for a series of consultations that could lead to a resolution of the dispute.
Parker said the Kind amendment the latest in a long line of attempts to undermine or alter the 2010 Framework Agreement achieved by the U.S. and Brazilian governments places the United States in violation of the agreement, undermines the good work of U.S. officials and exposes a broad range of U.S. sectors to harmful trade retaliatory measures by Brazil on up to $800 million in U.S. exports.
“The NCC is committed to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure the U.S. can continue to comply with the Framework Agreement to avoid serious disruption in trade and to identify a solution to the dispute,” Parker said.
National Cotton Council (NCC)