Trump Asked to Extend Cotton Aid by Lawmakers Citing China
- Letters say $300 million ginners program should be permanent
- U.S. cotton subsidies constrained by 2014 deal with Brazil
Cotton crops stand at Legacy Farms in the Nueces County of Chapman Ranch, Texas, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016.
Photographer: Eddie Seal/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
U.S. lawmakers and rural businesses are arguing that a one-off subsidy meant to support cotton farmers should become a permanent fixture because of the aid countries including China and India provide to their own producers, according to letters sent to President Donald Trump Tuesday.
The so-called Cotton Ginning Cost Share Program gave producers $300 million last year to help them cover fiber-processing costs, with each farmer receiving $8,100 in aid, on average. It was billed as a temporary measure to help producers who were battling lower incomes and receiving less government aid under the 2014 farm bill.