by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) ... WTO appellate body says it is extremely difficult to determine the extent of any contribution that is made toward the achievement of the objective(s) of the measures. Much of this difficulty derives from the fact
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Back TO HOMEDispute Panel Established to Review EU Duties on Imports of Biodiesel from Indonesia
(World Trade Organization) The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 27 November to a request from Indonesia for the establishment of a dispute panel to review countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on imports of biodiesel from
November 28, 2023 Read Full Article
Brazil Offers Ethanol Tech to India to Settle Sugar Dispute
by Mukesh Jagota (Financial Express) The development came about amid a few rounds of official level talks and a ministerial meeting between the two sides. -- India and Brazil are close to settling their long-standing disputes on the sugar industry, with the
September 18, 2023 Read Full Article
EU Starts Probe on Indonesian Biodiesel Avoiding Import Duties
by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Gus Trompiz, Bernadette Christina and Stefanno Sulaiman (Reuters) The European Union said on Thursday it had launched an investigation into whether biodiesel from Indonesia was circumventing EU duties by going through China and Britain. The EU is Indonesia's third-largest destination for palm
August 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Indonesia Launches WTO Dispute over EU Duties on Biodiesel Imports
(Channel News Asia/Reuters) Indonesia has requested WTO dispute consultations with the European Union regarding the bloc's imposition of duties on imports of biodiesel from the southeast Asia nation, the global trade body said on Tuesday. The request was circulated to WTO members
August 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Argentina Initiates WTO Dispute Complaint Targeting Peruvian Duties on Biodiesel Imports
(World Trade Organization) Argentina has requested WTO dispute consultations with Peru concerning anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by Peru on imports of biodiesel from Argentina. The request was circulated to WTO members on 6 September. Argentina is challenging six measures relating
September 07, 2022 Read Full Article
A Border Carbon Bill with a Price
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Whitehouse (Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)) introduced a bill Tuesday charging $55 per ton for carbon emissions on imported products from energy intensive industries. The Clean Competition Act, which POLITICO’s Josh Siegel got an early
June 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Commodity Group Leaders Push for Expanded Use of Biofuels
by Daniel Grant (Farm Week Now) While the U.S. scrambles to fill the void in the oil market created by the ban of Russian imports, commodity group leaders believe the solution is closer to home than Venezuela or Saudi Arabia. “If ever
March 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Germany to End Palm Oil Use in Biofuels from 2023 - Ministry
by Michael Hogan (NASDAQ/Reuters) Germany will end the use of palm oil as a raw material to produce biofuels from 2023, the country's environment ministry said on Wednesday. -- ... Germany will instead give a quota for minimum use of waste
September 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Climate Border Patrol
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) unveiled legislation Monday to create a carbon border fee mechanism, putting into legislative text a system to tax carbon-heavy imports, like steel or aluminum, to
July 20, 2021 Read Full Article
WTO Accepts Malaysia's Request to Examine EU Palm Oil Rules
by Mei Mei Chu and Emma Farge (Reuters) -The World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreed to a request from Kuala Lumpur to establish a panel examining a European Union law that restricts the use of palm oil-based biofuels, Malaysia’s government and a Geneva-based
June 19, 2021 Read Full Article
European Union and Certain Member States — Certain Measures Concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop-Based Biofuels
(World Trade Organization) Malaysia submitted its second request for a panel to examine certain measures imposed by the European Union and EU member states regarding palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels from Malaysia. Malaysia's first request was blocked by the
June 01, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Changes How It Classifies Ethanol When Reporting Trade Data
(USDA/Ethanol Producer Magazine) USDA and the Department of Commerce decided in December 2020 to change the way they define “agricultural products” when reporting international trade data. Beginning with the release of the January 2021 monthly trade data on March 5, USDA
March 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Leading Palm Oil Producers Formulate Strategy to Safeguard Industry
(Biofuels International) Malaysia will discuss with Indonesia a plan to formulate the best strategy to protect the oil palm industry of both countries for the future. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for the framework of the
February 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Austria to End Crediting of Biofuels from Palm Oil in July
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)/Biobased Diesel Daily) The accounting of biofuels with a high risk of indirect land use change (iLUC) will end in Austria July 1. This exclusion is provided for in the late-January
February 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Malaysia to File WTO Lawsuit against EU on Jan 15, Says Minister
by Shaheera Aznam Shah (Malaysian Reserve) Mohd Khairuddin says we will continue to fight against any discriminatory actions which pose a threat to the country’s economy and rakyat’s livelihood -- Malaysia will file its lawsuit against the European Union (EU) on the
January 16, 2021 Read Full Article
EU Forests Regulation Public Consultation – Indonesia Responds
(Indonesia Palm Oil Facts) Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has made its submission to the EU Forests Regulation public consultation on reducing deforestation and forest degradation. As background, the European Commission is proposing a Due Diligence regulation to tackle deforestation / forest degradation with the aim
December 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Atlantic Council Analyzes the Potential for a Carbon Trade War
by Nick Silvis* (Advanced Biofuels USA)The world is undergoing drastic climate and ecological changes which will have dire ramifications on all facets of global activity. Critical trade relationships, such as the one between the United States and Europe, are facing
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
How Will Biden Differ From Trump on Trade and China Policy?
(Mish Talk/The Street) ... The Steptoe & Johnson law firm issued a Client Advisory on US Trade Agenda in the Biden Administration. 1. Free Trade Agreements. One of the few specific statements on trade policy that then-candidate Biden made during the campaign is
November 16, 2020 Read Full Article
AG Talks Priorities to White House Aspirants
by Steve Kopperud (Brownfield Ag News) This was the week agriculture – organized and individual – emerged from the political closet and started laying down markers for the November 3 election. The Ag CEO Council, comprised of the heads of 21 of
October 09, 2020 Read Full Article
WTO Rules Against Trump China Tariffs
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of China, saying President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods violates international regulations for trade. The WTO panel says the U.S. could not prove the tariffs were necessary,
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Indonesia Picks Up Allies In WTO Palm Fight
(Palm Oil Monitor) Indonesia has picked up a number of allies in its battle with the EU over the bloc’s ban of palm oil in its renewable energy scheme. An additional 18 countries have reserved their rights to participate in the proceedings as
August 11, 2020 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-Malaysia to File WTO Legal Action against EU over Restrictions on Palm Biofuel
by Mei Mei Chu (Today) Malaysia, the world's second largest palm oil producer, will take legal action against the European Union's restrictions on palm oil-based biofuels with the World Trade Organization (WTO), calling the policy a "discriminatory action". Plantation Industries and Commodities
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
American Corn Growers Foundation Tells Farmers to Focus on Ethanol
by Robert Pore (Grand Island Independent) A Wilcox farmer and chairman of the American Corn Growers Foundation said farmers counting on corn exports “has always been a questionable strategy.” “Problematic U.S. trade policy, aimed at China, is attempting to protect
June 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Indonesia Prepares for Battle in Switzerland... Malaysia Lobbies in the UK ... The 3-monochloropropane diol (3-MCPD) Debate ....
(Palm Oil Monitor) This week Indonesia and the EU are meeting in Geneva for a WTO consultation over the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The meeting is the culmination of a months-long public battle of words over the introduction of
February 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Jokowi Says EU Palm Oil Restrictions Are 'Act of Trade War'
by Telly Nathalia (Jakarta Globe) he European Union had provoked a "trade war" by issuing discriminative restrictions on Indonesian palm oil, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo tweeted on Saturday. "Indonesia has 13 million hectares of oil palm plantations that produce 46 million tons
January 14, 2020 Read Full Article
European Liquor off the Menu in Indonesia as Trade Row Escalates
by Ed Davies and Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters/Jakarta Post) What started as a spat with the European Union over Indonesian palm oil has escalated into a far broader trade dispute with imported European spirits and now dairy products caught in the crossfire. Trade
December 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Standards Alliance Organizes Workshop on Biofuel Standards for Household Cooking and Transportation
(American National Standards Institute) The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), through its public-private partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Standards Alliance, organized a one-day workshop on biofuel standards for household cooking and transportation in Maputo, Mozambique, on November 14, 2019. This
December 24, 2019 Read Full Article
EU Hits Indonesian Biodiesel with Import Duties over Subsidies
by Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union confirmed tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel imports on Monday to counter what it sees as unfair subsidies, the latest blow to producers after the bloc ruled that palm oil should be phased out of renewable
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Indonesia Set to Sue European Union to WTO
(Tempo.co) Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto affirmed that Indonesia would file a lawsuit against the European Union (EU) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) this year. The suit would be lodged following the EU's plan to ban the use of crude palm oil
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
EU Parliament Unfazed by Trade Fight over Palm Biofuel Phase-Out
by Hans Nicholas Jong (Mongabay.com/Eco-Business) A European member of parliament says the bloc isn’t concerned about threats by Indonesia and Malaysia to file a trade complaint over an EU policy to phase out palm oil-based biofuels by 2030. The two Southeast
October 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Indonesia Set to Face, Sue Europe over Renewable Energy Policies
(Antara News) The Indonesian government will prepare to take legal action at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge the European Union (EU) over its Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) and Delegated Regulation (DR). The lawsuit plan was rolled out
October 10, 2019 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-EU Plans to Impose Import Duties on Indonesia Biodiesel
by Philip Blenkinsop, Sybille de la Hamaide and Bernadette Christina Munthe (Reuters) The European Commission has proposed duties ranging from 8% to 18% on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia to counter what it says are unfair subsidies, the latest twist in
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
France Bans Palm Oil from Biofuels
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) France is tightening up regulations on the use of palm oil as a feedstock in biofuels production. However, this only applies to palm oil eligibility within France. As a result, biofuels produced
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Malaysia to File WTO Complaint against EU’s Palm Biofuel Policy by Nov
(Bernama/The Sun Daily) Malaysia will submit a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by November to challenge the European Union’s restrictions on palm biofuel, according to Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim. She said documents related to the complaint are
July 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Indonesia 2019 Biodiesel Exports to Rise
(Reuters/The Star Online) The Indonesia Biodiesel Producers Association (APROBI) estimates the country may export up to 2 million kilolitres (kl) of unblended biodiesel in 2019 in an "optimistic scenario", Vice Chairman Paulus Tjakrawan told reporters on Thursday. In a "pessimistic scenario", he
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Malaysia Threatens WTO Case over Dropping Biofuel
(Reuters/The Express Tribune) Malaysia on Saturday threatened to bring a World Trade Organisation (WTO) challenge if the European Union goes ahead with recommendations to phase out palm oil from transport fuel used in the bloc. In a list of criteria published
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Penny for Your Corn? Stingy Trade-War Aid Irks U.S. Farmers
by P.J. Huffstutter and Mark Weinraub (Reuters) ... Federal economists have calculated that the nation’s losses in corn - its largest crop by harvest and export volume - amount to just a penny per bushel, a pittance farmers call absurd. That’s
December 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Argentina Takes Peru to WTO in Biodiesel Row
by Tom Miles (Reuters) Argentina has launched a dispute at the World Trade Organization to contest Peru’s anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Argentina’s exports of biodiesel, a WTO filing published on Wednesday showed. Argentina’s complaint suggests the two countries have failed to
December 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Demand Destruction Part 2? Allowing Exports to Count Toward RFS Compliance
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ... Simply put, allowing exported ethanol to count toward compliance with an oil company’s RFS obligation would lead to further demand destruction for U.S. ethanol producers and corn growers who are already suffering the consequences
May 14, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Scraps Duty on Most Argentina, Indonesia Biodiesel: Document
Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union has removed duties on biodiesel imports for 13 Argentine and Indonesian producers following the end of legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), an EU document shows. The bloc set anti-dumping duties on imports
March 21, 2018 Read Full Article
NBB Coalition Secures Affirmative Final Decision on Dumping of Biodiesel Imports
(National Biodiesel Board) Commerce Department Finds That Argentina and Indonesia Sell Biodiesel Imports Below Fair Value in US -- The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition won a final antidumping determination from the Commerce Department. The department found that biodiesel imports
February 22, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Launches New Trade Inquiry into Argentine Biodiesel
by Philip Blenkinsop and Sybille de la Hamaide (Reuters) The European Commission has begun a new investigation into whether Argentine biodiesel exporters benefit from unfair subsidies, following a complaint in December by the European Biodiesel Board (EBB). The EU’s official journal said on
February 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Palm Oil to Be Phased out as Biodiesel Feedstock?
by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) Only a month after the European Union confirmed Australian canola would satisfy the new 2018 greenhouse gas requirements for use in EU biodiesel, a proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has
January 31, 2018 Read Full Article
WTO Rules EU Must Change Duties on Indonesia Biodiesel
by Philip Blenkinsop and Bernadette Christina Munthe (Reuters) The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favor of several challenges by Indonesia to anti-dumping duties imposed on its biodiesel exports to the European Union, saying the measures needed to be changed. The ruling is
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Commission Tells Malaysia Proposed Biofuel Policy Respects WTO Rules
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) The European Commission’s proposal for the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive is in compliance with the EU’s commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, Commission sources told EURACTIV.com, replying to threats from Malaysia to refer
January 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel and the Ever-Changing Political Landscape
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Industry stakeholders and legal experts discuss the recent RFS court ruling, the ongoing U.S. trade cases against Argentina and Indonesia, and the biodiesel tax credit in context of U.S. EPA’s Notice of Data Availability. -- ... According
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Argentina’s Biodiesel Plagued by Commercial and Environmental Challenges
by Daniel Gutman (Inter Press Service) The Argentine biodiesel industry, which in the last 10 years has become one of the most powerful in the world, has an uncertain future, faced with protectionist measures in the United States and Europe and
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Refiners Make America-First Pitch to Cut Biofuels
(Argus Media) US independent refiners seized on protectionist themes and two key biofuel industry victories this year to argue regulators must reduce federally mandated blending of renewable fuels. Refiners framed a US-first pitch to slash more than 1bn USG — almost 7pc
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Argentina Seeks Minimum Biodiesel Price Rather than U.S. Tariffs
by Maximiliano Rizzi (Reuters/NASDAQ) Argentina's government is negotiating a minimum price for its biodiesel exports to the United States that it hopes could replace punitive tariffs implemented last month, a foreign ministry official told Reuters on Thursday. An agreement was being sought
October 03, 2017 Read Full Article
EBB Will Challenge EU Reduction on Argentinian Biodiesel Duties
(Biofuels International) The European Union is lowering import duties on Argentinian biodiesel after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled against initial measures taken against cheap imports from the South American country, Reuters reports. The European Biodiesel Board, an EU producer group, is now
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
EBB: There Is No Reason EU Should Act Now to Lower Import Duties
(European Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) EU member states are to decide on the European Commission’s proposal to radically lower the antidumping duties on Argentinian and Indonesian biodiesel imports. The European biodiesel industry warns of the dramatic impact that this decision may
August 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Dumping Complaint Could Kill Argentine Biodiesel Exports, Groups Says
by Maximiliano Rizzi (Reuters) Argentina's biodiesel exports could be devastated if the U.S. government imposed anti-dumping duties on the coutrtry based on a complaint by the U.S. National Biodiesel Board, the heads of two local industry chambers said. The board last week
April 04, 2017 Read Full Article
A Taxing Issue for Ethanol Producers?
by Brian Kuehl and Donna Funk (K·Coe Isom) Will a possible US tax reform and border adjustability affect ethanol producers in the US? -- ... There is a high likelihood that comprehensive tax reform legislation will become law during 2018 and that
February 07, 2017 Read Full Article
India Complains against US at WTO over Subsidies
(LiveMint) India has complained against the US at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for what it calls illegal subsidies and domestic content requirements for the renewable energy sector in eight American states, even as the Donald Trump administration pursues a Buy