WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI) and Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman John S. Tanner (D-TN) issued the following statement concerning the joint announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Brazil will forestall retaliation in the cotton dispute in the World Trade Organization (WTO):
“Today’s announcement that Brazil has decided to pursue negotiations with the United States, rather than to impose countermeasures on U.S. agricultural and manufactured goods, services and intellectual property, is a positive development," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI). “USTR and USDA’s efforts have avoided the immediate imposition by Brazil of hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs on U.S. exports, and have established the framework for continued progress on a mutually agreed solution to this dispute. I look forward to working with the Administration toward this goal."
Trade Subcommittee Chairman John S. Tanner (D-TN) continued: “I commend USTR and USDA on moving this dispute forward towards a negotiated solution. I fully believe that it is in the interests of both the United States and Brazil to focus on the important task of strengthening our bilateral relationship. I believe today’s developments are a positive step in that direction, and I look forward to working with USTR and USDA to address the legitimate concerns of our farmers."
