The Launch of the Great American Cotton Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced the Great American Cotton Program, an initiative that aims to rejuvenate the country’s cotton industry while boosting domestic textile production and creating more export opportunities for cotton.

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shared a detailed strategic plan for the initiative. This approach is intended to directly support traditional American agriculture.

“This campaign is for everyone who believes in real products made by real American farmers,” Rollins stated.

Rollins highlighted that cotton has been a staple for rural communities since 1607. However, she noted rising costs, unfair foreign competition, and an influx of low-cost synthetic materials have posed significant challenges for American cotton producers.

She expressed concern that, in 2023, the U.S. might lose its status as the world’s leading cotton exporter to Brazil, a situation outlined in a comprehensive report. Another issue is that cotton exports surged during Donald Trump’s presidency, only to decline dramatically with Joe Biden’s administration. Additionally, from 1980 to 2024, the number of cotton gins in the U.S. dropped by 80%, along with a 70% reduction in textile manufacturing plants from 2002 to 2022.

The USDA cautioned that producers might face losses of around $2.6 billion spanning 9 million acres in the next cropping year.

Cotton farmers are entering their fifth consecutive year of negative returns, grappling with rising input costs, trade irregularities, and escalating competition from synthetic alternatives. Currently, nearly 70% of the world’s textile fibers are synthetic.

To combat these challenges, the USDA is reinforcing its “Plant Not Plastic” initiative, urging consumers to opt for natural American cotton over plastic-based options.

Among cotton’s advantages, it can absorb up to 27 times its weight in water, promotes airflow, and keeps consumers comfortable by wicking moisture away during hot weather. In comparison, synthetic materials like polyester and nylon often trap heat and lack breathability.

Main Components of the Great American Cotton Plan

• Promoting domestic cotton use through the Plant Not Plastic initiative, which funds the BioPreferred program to maintain cotton product labels.
• Boosting demand and production by prioritizing cotton processors in the Commercial Guarantee Loan Program and supporting the Buy America Cotton Act.
• Enhancing cotton trade with a three-point plan that includes new commitments from Indonesia and Bangladesh and participation in an agribusiness mission to Indonesia.
• Safeguarding cotton farmers against risks by researching pest control, improving insurance access, and increasing the base price of seed cotton by 14% later this year.

“The Trump Administration is devoted to making American cotton the top choice through the Great American Cotton Plan, an initiative that aims to restore profitability for cotton producers, boost local economies, and revitalize domestic textile production,” Rollins noted. “Supporting natural fibers like cotton aligns with the growing concerns over microplastics and synthetic materials found in daily products. Cotton is breathable, biodegradable, and proudly cultivated by American farmers, unlike petroleum-based plastics that can introduce microplastics into our environment.”