Opposition to Duty-Free Cotton Imports from the United States

16-Feb-2026 04:38 PM

New Delhi. Farmer organizations say that if zero-duty cotton imports from the United States begin, domestic market prices could fall significantly, causing significant losses to producers. It is understood that the United States has told Bangladesh that if it sells products made from American cotton in the US market, no tariffs will be imposed on them.

Meanwhile, India's Union Commerce Minister has stated that the same policy will apply to India. If India purchases cotton from the United States, processes it domestically, manufactures textiles, and exports them to the United States, it can also benefit from zero-duty benefits.

On the other hand, farmer organizations have stated that by taking such a step, the government has ignored the interests of indigenous cotton producers. Bangladesh produces negligible cotton, so it has to import large quantities of cotton from abroad, while its farmers suffer no losses.

Meanwhile, India ranks first or second in the world in cotton production. If import of American cotton starts in large quantities here, then the indigenous producers may suffer huge economic losses.

The Union Commerce Minister had said that the opposition parties are misleading the people on this issue whereas in America, the same duty policy will be applicable on the import of textile products for India and Bangladesh.

But the cotton producers' association is not satisfied with this argument of the Union Commerce Minister and has decided to oppose it. Fazilka district of Punjab has been producing high quality cotton.

For the last decade, the price and production of cotton has been decreasing there, whereas due to the new decision of the Centre, there is a fear of production coming to a complete halt.