This week, at the direction of President Trump, Ambassador Jamieson Greer took final action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 by imposing a 25% tariff on certain goods of Brazil. This comes after USTR concluded a yearlong investigation that found that Brazil’s acts, policies, and practices have harmed American workers, businesses, and innovators for decades by restricting American exporters’ access to one of the world’s largest markets.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper: We applaud the action being taken by USTR and strongly support the Trump Administration’s efforts to level the playing field for U.S. ethanol producers and farmers. Over the past several years, Brazil has gone out of its way to block lower-cost U.S. ethanol through a complicated framework of tariffs and marketplace barriers. After Brazil rebuffed numerous attempts by the U.S. to negotiate a return to free and fair ethanol trade between our two nations, our leaders were left with no choice but to establish reciprocal treatment.
National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower: We are pleased to see that the Trump administration has done its due diligence by investigating Brazil’s conduct and has acted on behalf of the nation’s corn growers by levying tariffs to address this unfair trade disparity.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor: For nearly a decade, Brazil has unfairly blocked U.S. ethanol imports, while their own producers enjoy complete and unfettered access to American markets. That imbalance has caused extraordinary harm to U.S. farmers and ethanol producers, and today’s decision marks an important step toward repairing the damage.
Louisiana Loggers Association: We are grateful to the U.S. Trade Representative for taking action to help level the playing field for America’s wood products industry. America’s loggers, landowners, and wood producers operate under some of the highest environmental and labor standards in the world, and firmly believe American-made wood products are second to none.
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