Source: Renewable Fuels Association news release
Washington, DC — The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed the announcement by President Trump that a trade agreement has been reached between the United States and the European Union. RFA says the EU trade deal is an important step toward opening the market for lower-cost, American-made renewable fuels in the 27 countries represented by the EU.
“We thank President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for reaching this important agreement over the weekend, and we are encouraged to see U.S. ethanol mentioned as part of the deal,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, commenting on a social media post by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins who noted that the deal includes the purchase of $750 billion in U.S. energy, including ethanol, and would reduce America’s $24 billion agriculture trade deficit with the EU.
“As our nation’s corn growers prepare for what is likely to be a record harvest, we stand ready to produce larger volumes of cleaner-burning ethanol and valuable co-products like distillers grains for customers around the world,” Cooper added. “When markets are open and trade policies are fair, everybody wins. The U.S. ethanol industry looks forward to working with our partners in Europe to continue growing the global production and use of renewable fuels, which are simply more reliable and more affordable than many other energy alternatives.”
The European Union has been a major importer of U.S. ethanol in recent years, ranking third with 197 million gallons imported last year. The EU’s 2024 imports of U.S. ethanol represented a 54 percent increase over 2023. When it comes to distillers grains, the EU ranked sixth last year, purchasing 684 million metric tons of U.S. product, 46 percent above the prior year.
About the RFA
Since 1981, the Renewable Fuels Association has been the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry, working to drive expanded demand for American-made renewable fuels and bioproducts worldwide.
