US-Brazil trade tensions could rise over ethanol TRQ issue

In Washington, MercoPress reports that the US won’t budge on allowing Brazil to export more limes that are facing phytosanitary trade barriers until the issue of the ethanol import quota and tariff is dealt with. When US ethanol exports pass 150 million liters per quarter, a 30% tariff is slapped on them, which US ethanol producers are against. Without the TRQ, however, all ethanol imports would face the Mercorsur 30% tariff. The TRQ is set to expire this summer if a new deal isn’t agreed.