The Peruvian National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) Tribunal announced on Jan. 29, 2021 that the U.S. ethanol industry and the U.S. government won an appeal on a countervailing duty case brought against U.S. ethanol in Peru, reversing a previous decision handed down by Peruvian authorities that applied a 15-cent/gallon duty on U.S. ethanol and resulted in loss of market access in the country.
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) participated extensively in this case, arguing at hearings in both the initial investigation and the appeal in Peru on behalf of the U.S. ethanol industry and were satisfied with the outcome.
“We are pleased that Peruvian authorities reached the right result, and we look forward to continuing our close work with Peru to further enhance our mutually beneficial trade relationship development efforts, including urging them to increase their blend rate beyond 7.8 percent," the three associations said in a joint statement. "Doing so would also help Peru to meet its Paris Agreement commitments and lead to opening more global trade of ethanol.
The three noted the U.S. ethanol industry remains focused on expanding the global use of low-carbon ethanol, reducing barriers to trade, and elevating the energy discussion.
"We favor continued collaboration and cooperation with Peru and other nations that share the vision of a free and open global ethanol market," they concluded.
