On 1 June, a bipartisan group of 21 members of the House of Representatives asked USTR to address Brazil’s treatment of U.S. ethanol, specifically a reinstatement of tariffs and access to Brazil’s carbon credit program for ethanol. Between the tariff and lack of access to the credit program, U.S. exports to Brazil have effectively been cut off.
First, the tariffs. From 2012 to 2017, U.S. ethanol entered Brazil tariff-free. In 2017, Brazil imposed an annual TRQ of 600 million liters (158 million gallons) on ethanol imports from 1 September 2017 through 31 August 2019. Any volume above the quota was subject to the 20 percent Common External Tariff (CET) under the Mercosur agreement. That tariff was reassessed 24 months after im...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on 1 July. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
