AAFA Urges U.S. Action to Resolve India Cotton Export Ban
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) last month petitioned several U.S. Department heads to take immediate action to stop India’s government from continuing its export ban on cotton (issued in April 2010) or from extending the ban to cotton yarn or other products using cotton.
Citing the impact of this ban on the price of cotton globally — at $1.40/pound the price has more than doubled in just the past eight months to its highest price in 150 years — AAFA president and CEO Kevin M. Burke said, “This will very soon translate into higher clothing and footwear prices for hardworking American families at a time when they can least afford it.”
Prior to the ban India was the second largest exporter of cotton in the world. AAFA reports that the ban action violates Article XI of the GATT agreement which prohibits export bans that benefit domestic industries.
Citing the impact of this ban on the price of cotton globally — at $1.40/pound the price has more than doubled in just the past eight months to its highest price in 150 years — AAFA president and CEO Kevin M. Burke said, “This will very soon translate into higher clothing and footwear prices for hardworking American families at a time when they can least afford it.”
Prior to the ban India was the second largest exporter of cotton in the world. AAFA reports that the ban action violates Article XI of the GATT agreement which prohibits export bans that benefit domestic industries.