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Farm groups push 25% tariff on Brazilian ethanol in USTR investigation

Several agricultural groups are encouraging the U.S. Trade Representative to impose a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on Brazilian ethanol.

“We need to have access to their markets just like they have access to ours.”

National Corn Growers Association First Vice President and Michigan farmer Matt Frostic tells Brownfield the country has had an 18% tariff on U.S. ethanol imports since 2023.

“We’re trying to mitigate those tariffs that Brazil has put on our ethanol, trying to get that more of a level playing field, whether it’s the tariffs themselves or how our ethanol is viewed out in the world market versus theirs,” he says.

He testified Monday as part of the International Trade Commission’s Section 301 hearing.

The Renewable Fuels Association is also calling out Brazil’s national biofuels policy, which they say disproportionally impacts U.S. ethanol producers from receiving accreditation.

U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil were 1.3 percent of total U.S. ethanol exports in 2024 and 1.8 percent of exports in 2025, dropping from about a one-third of total U.S. exports in 2018.

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, American Seed Trade Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, and Growth Energy also testified as part of the Section 301 investigation on Brazil.