The Renewable Fuels Association has thanked President Donald Trump and U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, for securing reciprocal trade agreement signed on January 30 with Guatemala that contains a requirement for 10 percent ethanol blends for on-road gasoline (E10), and a purchase commitment for at least 50 million gallons of American-made ethanol annually. The agreement also includes zero tariffs for U.S. agricultural products.
“We are very grateful to Ambassador Greer and the entire Trump administration for securing a trade agreement that reflects the U.S. ethanol industry’s leadership role in the global renewable fuels marketplace,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper in a press release.
“Our nation’s 200 ethanol biorefineries are well-positioned to help Guatemala deliver lower prices at the pump and cleaner air for their citizens. We look forward to working together with the Guatemalan fuels industry to increase the use of lower-cost, lower-emitting ethanol blends in Central America. Other countries in the region—including Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador—also hold great promise for expanded ethanol use, and we are excited to see Central America opening its doors to this opportunity,” he said.
Gasoline consumption in Guatemala for 2026 is estimated at approximately one billion gallons; thus, an E10 standard means 100 million gallons of ethanol will be needed. As Guatemala currently exports much of its domestically produced biofuel, the move to E10 provides U.S. producers with a new export opportunity valued at roughly $150 million.
