Answer:
The United States was the leading exporter of cotton worldwide.
Cotton is a very political crop because of its importance in world trade and to the economies of many developing countries. In many countries, cotton exports not only are a vital contribution to foreign exchange earnings but also account for a significant proportion of GDP and tax income. Cotton is playing a major role in economic development in Africa: 37 of the 53 African countries produce cotton and 30 are exporters. Most Central Asian republics from the former Soviet Union are also very dependent on cotton exports.