Africa Nations to Consider Cotton Case If Nairobi Talks Fail

African nations are considering presenting a case against governments they accuse of distorting trade in cotton if this week’s negotiations in the Kenyan capital don’t deliver a favorable deal.

Cotton producers from poor countries have for over a decade unsuccessfully lobbied developed countries to significantly reduce or eliminate subsidies to their cotton farmers that they say create unfair global competition. The U.S. last year agreed to pay Brazil $300 million to settle a dispute over cotton subsidies.