Brazil sees problems related to US biofuel imports ‘practically resolved’
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said on Tuesday that unspecified issues related to the country’s import of American biofuels “have practically been resolved.”
He did not provide details, but according to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, headed by Alckmin, his statement referred to the easing of rules under the RenovaBio program to address US concerns.
RenovaBio encourages the use of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel as a substitute for fossil fuels in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In its National Trade Estimates Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the Trump administration characterized the program as a non-tariff barrier that harms US manufacturers, and urged Brazil to revise its regulations.
Until June this year, foreign biofuel exporters needed an intermediary – usually a Brazilian importer – to obtain certification and issue decarbonization credits.
But a mid-June resolution issued by oil regulator ANP allowed foreign exporters to obtain certification directly, which the ministry told Reuters had given them the same opportunity.
BRAZIL IS INVOLVED IN US TALK, ALCKMIN SAYS
Speaking at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Brazil, Alckmin also said that non-tariff issues were important in talks with the US, including those related to data centers, rare earth elements and large technology companies.
He reiterated that Brazil remained involved in negotiations, after Washington last week added more than 200 products to the list exempt from previously imposed 50% tariffs.
At the same event, the Foreign Ministry’s trade policy chief, Fernando Pimentel, noted that Brazil had not had a clear request from the US as part of the talks and was awaiting consultations based on the Article 301 investigation.
The probe was launched by the US earlier this year to examine a range of Brazilian policies, including the hugely popular Pix instant payments system, ethanol market access, illegal deforestation and intellectual property protection.
Source: Reuters
