Washington, D.C. - Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led 15 of his colleagues in a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump urging his administration to pursue favorable trade deals that boost exports of American cotton. Seeking new trade agreements expanding cotton exports would increase commodity prices and restore U.S. market dominance after the Biden administration's failed policies have caused the U.S. to fall behind Brazil in global sales for the first time.

"Record droughts, soaring input costs, and falling commodity prices have posed significant challenges for these producers, causing many to accrue skyrocketing levels of debt and even go out of business. The absence of an updated Farm Bill has only exacerbated this dire situation, as producers face a lack of certainty and outdated federal support that has not adjusted to the historic inflation of the early 2020s," the letter reads. "Negotiating the removal of foreign trade barriers would expand export opportunities for the cotton industry, helping American exporters regain their global market dominance and adding a much-needed boost to the industry following the challenges of the last few years. As you take office on January 20th, we strongly encourage you to keep the priorities of our country's farmers and ranchers in mind and expand market access for American cotton."

Click HERE to read the full letter.

"We appreciate Congressman Arrington for recognizing the challenging economic landscape facing U.S. cotton and for his call to remove foreign trade barriers that restrict market access for U.S. exports," said Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council.

"As U.S. cotton consumption has drastically shifted to the export market and global competition continues to intensify, establishing meaningful market access is critically important," said Buddy Allen, President and CEO of the American Cotton Shippers Association. "The American Cotton Shippers Association commends Congressman Arrington for recognizing this in his recent letter to President-elect Trump. Amid severe droughts, depressed markets, and record-high input costs, Congressman Arrington is taking essential steps to ensure the continued viability of cotton production in Texas and across the nation."

"I would like to thank Congressman Arrington and his colleagues for reaching out to President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance urging them to work on, enforce, and enhance our agricultural trade agreements," said Brad Heffington, Cotton Producer and Past President of Plains Cotton Growers. "Trade is so important to many agricultural commodities we produce and has a direct impact on prices. As a cotton producer, exports are imperative to our success in being able to grow crops profitably. Trade should be a top priority to help producers not have to be dependent upon the farm safety net. Thank you greatly for your efforts on behalf of producers."

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