Brazil is considering removing a 20-percent tariff on ethanol imports from the United States.
An agriculture official from Brazil said Wednesday the decision could depend on the U.S. lifting a ban on fresh beef exports from Brazil, according to Reuters.
Brazil imposed the ethanol tax last year on U.S. imports that exceed a 600-million-liter annual quota to protect local producers. But, the tariff was also seen as a retaliation to the U.S. ban on shipments of fresh beef from Brazil following a food safety scandal. The ban on fresh beef exports could be lifted by April, according to Brazil, which claims the nation has submitted all materials requested by the United States to address concerns over beef exports.
Brazil says it is waiting for the United States to decide whether the issue is resolved.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.