Maintaining NAFTA benefits is crucial: Cotton council

With purchases exceeding 1 million bales, Mexico has emerged as one of US raw cotton’s top five export destinations, and NAFTA plays a critical role in North America’s highly integrated textile and apparel supply chain, said NCC chairman Ronnie Lee.

“With 95 per cent of US cotton exported in some form, we need positive and stable trading relationships with our international customers to maintain a healthy US cotton sector,” said Lee, a Bronwood, Ga., cotton producer.

He stated that as the process of updating and renegotiating NAFTA proceeds, the US cotton industry “urges the Administration to stay involved in this important trade agreement and not weaken current provisions. A strengthening of the textile rules of origin and a modernisation of NAFTA can lead to an expansion of jobs and exports for our nation. This is a very sound way to grow our economy.” (RKS)

ALCHEMPro News Desk – India