Ag Trade Groups Urge Action on Port Labor Dispute

Agricultural trade groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, have urged President Biden and President-elect Trump to address labor disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports. In letters sent yesterday, the group highlighted the urgency of a new agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance before the contract expires on January 15, 2025. The groups warned that prolonged shutdowns could disrupt $1.4 billion in weekly agricultural trade, with 40% of U.S. agricultural exports dependent on these ports, and harm U.S. competitiveness.

Letter to President Biden here.

Letter to President-elect Trump here.

More Advocacy Issues

ACSA Update: The Week Ahead

March 3rd, 2026

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of March 2. Document here.

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Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and other members of Congress from major cotton-producing states urge the U.S. Trade Representative to secure permanent reductions or elimination of India’s trade barriers to U.S. cotton as part of ongoing trade negotiations. ACSA looks forward to work with USTR and Congress to make sure U.S. cotton can compete fairly in […]

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BACA Coalition Letter

February 25th, 2026

A large and diverse coalition of cotton industry stakeholders — including the American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) — has sent a letter to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to co-sponsor the Buying American Cotton Act (BACA). The letter, signed by organizations representing the full cotton supply chain — from producers and […]

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President Trump designated Laura DiBella as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) following her recent swearing-in and Senate confirmation as a commissioner. As Chairman and the FMC’s chief executive, Ms. DiBella will lead the agency’s oversight of the international ocean transportation. More here.

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Buying American Cotton Act

January 23rd, 2026

The Buying American Cotton Act (BACA) has now been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, marking an important milestone in ACSA’s effort to strengthen long-term demand for U.S.-grown cotton and U.S.-manufactured cotton products. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reinforces cotton’s role across the global supply chain while aligning economic strength with environmental […]

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Seasonal Ag CDL Modernization Act

December 10th, 2025

ACSA is urging support for S. 2909, the Seasonal Ag CDL Modernization Act. The bill would allow online renewal of restricted CDLs, align federal definitions of “implements of husbandry” with existing FMCSA policy, and reduce compliance burdens for rural seasonal drivers, while maintaining all current safety requirements. Letter here. Paper here.

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