During a Senate Finance Committee hearing this week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai about the Biden administration’s “abdication of leadership on trade” and urged her to work on getting Brazil to lower tariffs on U.S. ethanol. “The last time you appeared before this committee I urged you to negotiate lower tariffs on ethanol …
Ethanol Industry Seeks Permanent End to Brazil Tariff
This week, the U.S. ethanol industry submitted comments to the Brazilian government seeking a permanent end to that country’s tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the 18% Brazilian tariff on all incoming U.S. ethanol, while Brazilian ethanol imports enjoy …
Lawmakers Pressure Administration on Brazil Ethanol Tariff
Last week, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) led two letters to the Biden administration – one to President Biden and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai urging greater action in developing new markets for biofuels exports, and a second to Tai and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack specifically requesting work toward a full repeal of the Brazilian …
Reps Ask USTR to Address Brazil Ethanol Tariff
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 …