U.S. exports cotton and assistance to Vietnam

The Texas Cotton Association and International Cotton Council want to increase exports of U.S. cotton, cottonseed and cotton products. In an agreement developed during a July visit to the U.S. by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the U.S. will continue supplying Vietnam with 30 percent of its cotton supply, along with technical assistance, training and trade promotion activities. The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) also wants to take part in commercial import-export assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vietnam has been in the top five exporters of textiles and garments to the U.S. for the last three years, an estimated $4.29 billion annually.