WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States Subsidies to Upland Cotton

Résumé

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice that on March 18, 2003, a dispute settlement panel was established at the request of the Government of Brazil under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization ("WTO") to examine "subsidies provided to U.S. producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton." Brazil alleges that these subsidies are inconsistent with the obligations of the United States under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("GATT 1994"), the Agreement on Agriculture ("Agriculture Agreement"), and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("Subsidies Agreement"). USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.