The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomed President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a new trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, calling it a significant step toward expanding access to affordable, American-made renewable fuels across the 27 EU member states.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper expressed appreciation for the agreement, acknowledging both President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for finalizing the deal. In a social media post, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that the agreement includes a commitment by the EU to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy exports, including ethanol. Cooper highlighted that the move could help narrow the current $24 billion agricultural trade gap between the U.S. and the EU.
“As our corn growers prepare for what could be a record-setting harvest, our industry is more than ready to meet increased demand with greater volumes of clean-burning ethanol and high-value co-products like distillers grains,” Cooper said. “Open markets and fair trade practices benefit everyone. We’re eager to continue working with European partners to further expand the global reach of renewable fuels, which remain among the most cost-effective and dependable energy options available.”
The European Union has become one of the top buyers of U.S. ethanol, importing 197 million gallons in 2024—a 54% increase over the previous year, making the EU the third-largest market for U.S. ethanol exports. Additionally, the EU ranked sixth in imports of distillers grains, purchasing 684 million metric tons last year, up 46% from 2023.
