What the editorial on cotton subsidies missed

The June 3 editorial "Cotton brawl" was quick with inflammatory adjectives but short on facts.

The editorial cited historical cotton program spending but failed to note that spending on the disputed programs will likely be zero for the 2010 crop. The editorial did not mention the export credit programs, even though the vast majority of possible trade retaliation is associated with these programs.

By negotiating a modest temporary fund with Brazil that is confined to capacity building and technical assistance projects, the United States has protected manufacturing jobs. And it has suspended retaliation while Congress works to legislate program changes as part of the 2012 farm bill.

For a meaningful editorial, The Post should focus on the impasse in the World Trade Organization's Doha development round caused by China, India and Brazil's refusal to offer significant market access, claiming special circumstances as developing countries.

Gary Adams, Cordova, Tenn.

The writer is vice president of economics and policy analysis for the National Cotton Council of America.