Addressing the Cotton Issue: The Need for Progress at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference

For many years, cotton-producing least developed countries that produce cotton have been calling for the WTO to end cotton subsidies, which significantly impact not only their market share but also their livelihoods. This issue note reviews the significance of cotton to LDCs, specifically the C4. It traces developments of WTO negotiations on the cotton issue, making the case for progress and ultimate resolution of the cotton issue, while also reviewing the current trends in the production, trade and subsidization of cotton globally.