More than 20 members of Congress, led by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), sent a letter this week to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai asking her to prioritize ethanol export competitiveness and address unfair import tariffs imposed on American ethanol by Brazil. The letter highlighted the importance of biofuel and ethanol production for rural communities throughout the country and how …
Brazil Extends Ethanol Tariff Suspension
The ethanol industry is looking forward to working with new Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who has a lot of experience both being president and working on ethanol issues. Brazil last week extended the suspension of the import tariff on ethanol, at least through the end of this month. This extends the suspension announced last March of tariffs on U.S. …
Brazil Suspends Ethanol Tariff Until End of Year
The government of Brazil has announced it will suspend tariffs on U.S. ethanol starting March 23 until the end of 2022. The country is also suspending tariffs on six food products as a means of decreasing inflationary pressures. The leaders of the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, and Growth Energy issued a joint statement welcoming the move as an …
Brazil Tariff Decision ‘Devastating’ For US Ethanol
Brazil’s decision to impose a 20 percent tariff on all U.S. ethanol imports is devastating for the U.S. ethanol industry, according to organizations that work to promote ethanol exports. The leadership of the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association say the action jeopardizes the future of cooperation and coordination between the U.S …
RFA Urges Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol
While Brazil is still abiding by the 90 day extension of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for ethanol announced last month, talks with the United States to eliminate the tariff stalled last week and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is asking President Trump to take action. In a letter to the president, RFA called on President Trump to move forward in …
Brazil and US Agree to Extend Quota for 90 Days
Trade representatives from Brazil and the United States have agreed to a 90 day extension of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for ethanol as both sides continue to discuss ways they can improve market access to “achieve reciprocal and proportional outcomes that generate trade and open markets to the benefit of both countries.” According to a joint statement released by the …
U.S. Ethanol Exports to Brazil Already Falling
Despite no official announcement, technically once the August 31 deadline passed, all U.S. ethanol shipped to Brazil became subject to a 20 percent tariff. However, U.S. exports to Brazil have already been declining this year, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The latest government data shows U.S. ethanol exports down to 74 million gallons in July, a decrease of …
Lawmakers Urge USTR to Prioritize Brazil Ethanol Tariffs
U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Adrian Smith (NE-03) spearheaded a bipartisan letter urging U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to prioritize Brazilian trade barriers to U.S. ethanol during ongoing US-Brazil trade negotiations. Reps. LaHood and Smith both serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. LaHood is co-chair of the U.S.-Brazil Caucus. The letter calls for a …
President Considering Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol
President Donald Trump was asked about efforts to lower or eliminate Brazil’s tariffs on U.S. ethanol during a press conference this week. “I think that as far as Brazil is concerned, if they do tariffs, we have to have an equalization of tariffs,” President Trump responded. “It’s called reciprocal tariffs and you may be seeing something on that very soon.” …
US Ethanol Exporters and Brazil Importers Oppose TRQ
Exporters of U.S. ethanol and Brazilian importers of the same are united in opposition to the Brazilian government action amending the recent August 31st rule that raised the tariff rate quota (TRQ) on U.S. ethanol imports from 600 million to nearly 750 million liters per year. The TRQ regulates the threshold of ethanol that can be imported into Brazil without …