Biofuels and ethanol, particularly in relation to Brazilian tariffs, were a topic of discussion during Thursday’s Senate Finance Committee hearing for the nomination of Jamieson Greer as the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) both questioned Greer about the issue of Brazil’s tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports. “There are a lot of items at the top of my list if confirmed, and this is one of them,” said Greer. “That’s the specific kind of unfairness that drives me crazy and not just me but the president himself, when he sees this kind of unfairness and the un-level playing field.”

Currently, there is an 18% tariff on imports of U.S. ethanol into Brazil. In contrast, Brazilian ethanol exports to the United States face no import tariffs.

Listen to Sens. Grassley and Marshall with Greer.
Sen. Grassley questions Jamieson Greer (3:41)