U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the USDA's new American Biofuels Trade Outlook, a four-part strategy designed to significantly boost export opportunities for American biofuel producers. This initiative was unveiled at the 17th Annual Growth Energy Biofuel Summit on September 16, 2026. The plan seeks to strengthen energy security, support farmers, create jobs, and advance agricultural sustainability in the U.S. The USDA will utilize Market Access Programs and the America First Trade Promotion program to achieve these goals.
The first pillar of the strategy focuses on increasing on-road ethanol blending, particularly targeting breakthrough markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia, which are considered prime for E10 adoption. The USDA also plans to address implementation challenges in the 20 global markets that already have E10 policies to ensure reliable access for U.S. ethanol exports.
The second pillar aims to reduce or remove existing restrictions placed by other nations on U.S. crop-based biofuels. Rollins specifically cited the European Union as an example of an economy that restricts crop-based biofuels, hindering export growth. The administration intends to open more markets for U.S. biofuels across on-road transportation, aviation, and marine fuel sectors. The third pillar will focus on reaching untapped and high-impact markets, with India highlighted for on-road expansion, alongside long-term partners such as Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam.
The final pillar involves accelerating engagement with international organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The objective is to secure fair treatment for U.S. biofuels and prevent competing nations, such as Brazil, from shaping restrictive global regulations that could disadvantage U.S. exports. This comprehensive strategy is intended to support corn and soybean farmers, enhance agricultural sustainability, and generate employment in rural American communities.
