“The National Cotton Council (NCC) is extremely appreciative of the Trump administration’s work to update and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement, and our industry welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations,” said NCC Chairman Ron Craft, a Plains, Texas, ginner.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will ensure continued duty-free access for U.S. cotton to Mexico and Canada, with Mexico representing a top five export market for U.S. raw cotton. Both Canada and Mexico are top five export markets for cotton textile and apparel exports.

See also: Canada, U.S. reach deal on NAFTA successor

Craft said, “The NCC is pleased to see the addition of a textile and apparel chapter to the USMCA and inclusion of provisions to:   promote greater use of U.S. origin textile products, incentivize North American textile production, and strengthen customs enforcement in textile and apparel products. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration in addressing other trade issues to grow exports of U.S. cotton and cotton products and enhance our market share and competitiveness in key markets.”

The Memphis-based NCC’s mission is ensuring the ability of the U.S. cotton industry’s seven segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.

Source: National Cotton Council