CURRENT ISSUE ARTICLES

BACA Support Grows

New Tariffs Take Effect

Greater India Market Access Urged

NCC Applauds USDA’s “One Farmer, One File” Modernization Act

Ginning Cost Data Needed

Export Sales for Week Ending February 19

Capitol Calendar

BACA Support Grows

The Buying American Cotton Act (H.R.7230), introduced by Congressman Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), continues to gain support in the House of Representatives.

The following Representatives have cosponsored the bill so far:

In addition, a broad coalition – including many of the nation’s leading retailers – sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging support for BACA, emphasizing that the bill “leverages the purchasing power of U.S. consumers” who “want to buy American.”    

Under BACA, items that are fully manufactured in the United States or imported into the U.S. would qualify for a transferable tax credit that scales with the level of U.S. cotton content or U.S.-based cotton processing. Higher credit values would apply to U.S. cotton items produced entirely in the United States or in countries with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement or preferential trade program.

New Tariffs Take Effect

New tariffs have taken effect following last week’s Supreme Court decision invalidating the reciprocal tariffs that had been imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The White House has cited Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to levy a 10 percent tariff on imports from nearly every foreign country. Unlike the overturned IEEPA tariffs, however, these new duties may require congressional approval to remain in place beyond 150 days.

The Trump administration has also clarified that the suspension of the $800 import de minimis threshold, which took effect last year, will remain in place.

Legal challenges related to both the newly implemented tariffs and potential reimbursements stemming from the invalidated IEEPA tariffs are expected in the coming weeks. In addition, the Trump administration is also likely to initiate new investigations under Section 301 that could result in new tariffs. The NCC will continue to closely monitor these and other trade developments.

Greater India Market Access Urged

Representative Jody Arrington (R-TX) led a letter along with 11 congressional colleagues to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging him to negotiate a permanent reduction or elimination of trade barriers to U.S. cotton entering India.

As the letter points out, despite being the world’s fourth largest textile importer, India maintains an 11 percent tariff on raw cotton imports that it only rarely lifts to meet short-term needs. Permanently lowering or eliminating this trade barrier, the letter argues, would help the Indian textile industry while also providing “a much-needed market driven boost to our cotton farmers, who have suffered several years of historic losses resulting from inflation, low demand, and inclement weather.”

NCC Applauds USDA’s “One Farmer, One File” Modernization Act

The National Cotton Council (NCC) appreciates the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “One Farmer, One File” modernization initiative, announced by Secretary Rollins at the Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. This technological improvement aims to create a single, streamlined record for farmers across USDA agencies, with the goal of significantly reducing administrative burden and improving efficiency. 

Read the full statement here.  

Ginning Cost Data Needed

The National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA) urges all ginners to complete the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s 2026 Cost of Ginning Survey. The electronic survey questionnaire is available from the NCGA website at Electronic Gin Cost Survey. In addition, a fillable paper document found here Gin Cost Survey – Fillable Form can be downloaded and submitted to hashley@cotton.org. After the data has been inputted, the form will be destroyed. It is important that all gins participate in this confidential survey. There will be a drawing for two Bass Pro Shop gift cards for those ginners completing the survey by May 31.

NCGA Executive Vice President Harrison Ashley said, “the cost of ginning cotton is an important concern for producers and ginners, and data from this survey provides information about key variable costs as a component of the overall cost of ginning cotton.” The confidential survey also helps to 1) identify historical trends of gin operation and 2) document the incorporation of new technologies for maintaining or reducing ginning costs.

Questions regarding the survey should be addressed to Harrison Ashley at 901-260-8049 or hashley@cotton.org.

Export Sales for Week Ending February 19

Net export sales for the week ending February 19, 2026 were 276,500 bales (480-lb.). This brings total ‘25-26 sales to approximately 9.3 million. Total sales at the same point in the ‘24-25 marketing year were approximately 10.2 million bales. Total new crop (‘26-27) sales are 800,400 bales (480-lb.). Shipments for the week were 203,100 bales, bringing total exports to date to 4.7 million bales, compared with the 4.9 million bales at the comparable point in the ‘24-25 marketing year.

Capitol Calendar

February 23

The House and Senate convened.

Next Week

March 2

The Senate convenes.

March 3

The House convenes.

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. More information and a link to view the markup are at https://bit.ly/3OEB0jS.