C-4 Countries Get $16 Million in U.S. Aid

Although it won’t be official until the U.S. Congress acts on the legislation, four cotton-producing countries in Africa look like they will be getting much-needed assistance soon: up to $16 million in aid over four years from the United States, which will be provided through USAID’s West African Cotton Improvement Program (WACIP).

U.S. representatives at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Geneva have extended no-quota, duty-free access for cotton from the C-4 countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and Chad). While the move will certainly provide a boost to those developing countries and their ability to successfully engage with the global market, some criticize the WACIP as being too limited in its scope by excluding other African nations.

Still, others claim that the ultimate goal of the U.S. industry is to draw attention from its own domestic subsidy programs, which – while still significant – are at an all-time low. They will face further pressure and scrutiny as the U.S. Farm Bill and federal budgets are fleshed out in the coming year.