A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to address new trade restrictions impacting U.S. biofuel exports. Led by Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), the lawmakers emphasized the significance of biofuels for both the U.S. economy and global clean energy efforts. They highlighted concerns about ethanol production, noting its reliance on American corn farmers.
Additionally, they pointed to the expanding global demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and emphasized the potential for U.S. farmers and biofuel producers in this sector.
The lawmakers urged the administration to pursue new free trade agreements (FTAs) that include market access commitments, or alternatively, to aggressively work on reducing trade barriers affecting biofuel imports. They specifically mentioned challenges in markets such as Brazil, India and the United Kingdom.
The lawmakers also highlighted the importance of addressing broader trade issues affecting the corn sector, such as Mexico’s ban on genetically modified (GM) corn imports.
Of note: U.S. ethanol exports reached record levels in 2023, underscoring the significance of international markets for the biofuel industry and rural economies.
