Ethanol Industry Supports Brazil Trade Investigation

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol stakeholders support the U.S. Trade Representative taking action against unfair trading practices by Brazil with a Section 301 investigation. In comments sent Monday to USTR, the Renewable Fuels Association noted Brazil’s punitive ethanol tariff regime and restrictive regulations demonstrate that the country is clearly not committed to fair and reciprocal trade in ethanol. “Brazil’s tariff rates have no doubt …

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

USDA Mission to Dominican Republic Includes Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led a high-level delegation to the Dominican Republic last week with organizations that reflected a diverse range of agricultural products including seafood, dairy, rice, soybeans, and ethanol. “I am honored to lead my first trade mission with this impressive delegation made up of 46 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Trade

April U.S. Ethanol Exports Stay Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol exports moderated in April but remain strong, according to the latest report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol exports declined 12% in April to 172.3 million gallons (mg), about 8% below year-ago levels. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 704.9 mg, marking a 10% increase over the same period last year. Canada remained the top destination despite a 15% …

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

Sec. Rollins Discusses Ethanol Trade in UK

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins spent the second day of her trade delegation visit to the United Kingdom this week meeting with the U.K. Department for Energy Security and talking with industry leaders about opportunities for American products, including ethanol. Sec. Rollins’ visit comes after President Donald Trump announced a new U.K. trade deal last week. “President Trump has …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Trade

Ag and Biofuels Groups Seek Exemption to Shipping Rules

Cindy Zimmerman

The United States Trade Representative‘s office is holding public hearings this week on proposed actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance that would result in new fees being imposed on Chinese vessels. The first hearing was held on Monday, March 24 and the second will be on Wednesday, March …

Ag group, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade, transportation

Ethanol Exports Start Strong in 2025

Cindy Zimmerman

Coming off a record-breaking 2024, U.S. ethanol exports kicked off 2025 with momentum, according to the latest trade monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol exports increased two percent in January to reach a nine-month high of 198.1 million gallons (mg), fueled by surging shipments to India, which tripled its imports to 35.1 mg, the highest in four years. …

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

Trump Talks Ethanol With Japan

Cindy Zimmerman

President Trump wants to supply Japan with U.S. ethanol. During a press conference with Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his country is interested in importing … “bioethanol, ammonia and other resources” which could help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. “I want to just say that, on the ethanol, Iowa is going to be very happy. Nebraska, …

Audio, Ethanol, Exports, International, Trade

Brazil Upholds 18% Tariff on U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite appeals from the U.S. government, ethanol exporters and importers, Brazil’s Ministry of the Economy (CAMEX) has chosen to continue its 18 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol. U.S. ethanol interests, with support from the Brazil Association of Fuel Importers (ABICOM) and the U.S. government, previously submitted comments advocating for permanent tariff removal during a public consultation period that ended on …

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

USTR Working on Brazil Market Access for U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Brazil, Ethanol News, Exports, Trade

U.S.-Japan Alliance Includes Ethanol as Carbon Reducer

Cindy Zimmerman

President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week announced several new strategic initiatives to further advance the U.S.-Japan Alliance, including the importance of ethanol as a decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. A Joint Leaders’ Statement issued by the White House stated, “We intend to advance widespread adoption of innovative new clean energy technologies, and seek to …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Trade