Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade announced this week it would delay a decision to put an import tariff of 17 percent on U.S. ethanol. U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight, Renewable Fuels President and CEO Bob Dineen, and Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor put out a joint statement on the decision this week. The groups were encouraged by the decision to postpone the tariff proposal. The release says, “Imposing tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports will hurt Brazilian consumers by driving up their costs at the pump. It also goes against Brazil’s own long-held view that ethanol tariffs are inappropriate and will harm the development of the global ethanol industry.” The groups added that they’ll continue to work on the issue and they appreciate Brazil giving thoughtful consideration to the issue and how it will affect both countries’ industries and the global fuel supply.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.