Trade Rep Portman confirms resolution on cotton issue
28 Dec '05
4 min read
US Trade Representative Robert Portman expressed pleasure at the resolution of the the most vexxed issue of cotton subsidies during the recently concluded WTO Hong Kong meet.
Replying to a poser by journalist on certain the African nations were saying although there was a clear promise on export subsidies that they only constitute a very small part of the reasons why they can't get a good price for their cotton, Portman replied, "I applaud our friends and our partners in West Africa for working closely with us. We agree with them. We all want to reduce subsidies and eventually eliminate subsides."
When quizzed about the bigger issue of domestic subsidies that no clear cut commitment towards it has been mentioned in the paper, Portman said there was some concern whether cotton be isolated from agriculture or included within the whole context.
However, he replied, "Our view was the most effective way to get it done is to keep it with the rest of agriculture."
As regards African concerns, he dded, "We're also able to meet their concerns as you know in a few other areas and we made some significant commitments this week in export support which is significant issue to them although not as big an impact in their view as domestic support. Still important. That was 2006. I'm hoping we can do that sooner. I'm hoping we can do that in the next couple of weeks here with the Step 2 program possibly being up for a repeal in Congress which is something we've been pushing really hard even from Hong Kong. Lobbying on that."
marketing@alchempro.com
