Statements Regarding U.S./Brazil Dispute

Statements from the White House and Sen. Cochran regarding the U.S./Brazil dispute

Published: April 27, 2004
Updated: April 27, 2004

"While this is a disappointing development, it does not change the provisions of current law. I'm sure the Administration will continue to support the interests of U. S. farmers in this WTO process."
Sen. Thad Cochran (R- MS) Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (April 27)

"We believe that United States farm programs were designed to be and are fully consistent with our WTO obligations ... And we will be defending U.S. agricultural interests in every forum we need to, and have no intention of unilaterally taking steps to disarm when it comes to this."
Scott McClellan, Assistant to the President and Press Secretary (April 27 Press Briefing)

"Reports indicate that the Administration intends to appeal this WTO decision. We support that action . . . Under the WTO rules, countries are permitted to support their farmers in ways that are the least trade distorting. WTO rules govern the amounts countries may provide their farmers. The United States abides by the WTO rules and is, and has been, in accord with its rules on agriculture."
Statement of House Agriculture Committee Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member Charlie Stenholm (D-TX) regarding WTO ruling against U.S. farm programs (April 27)

"You can be 100 percent sure we're going to appeal this [ruling] and press this all the way . . . this is a marathon, it is not a sprint. We're going to fight for U.S. ag interests whether it be litigation or negotiation. We believe U.S. farm programs are fully consistent with the WTO rules . . . there is no immediate impact for farmers and ranchers around the country."
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick before a House Agriculture Committee hearing (April 28).