March 20, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode released the following statement on the European Union’s troubling decision to impose tariffs on imports of refined corn products including corn gluten feed, which is vital to the EU’s livestock producers. The tariffs have been proposed in response to U.S. Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.
“CRA is disappointed to see U.S. corn gluten feed and other corn-based critical feed additives included on the EU’s proposed list of products subject to potential tariffs. U.S. corn gluten feed exports to the EU already face significant and unjustified trade barriers, and additional tariffs would further restrict trade of these important products. By pursuing these tariffs, the EU would be harming not just American exporters, but also European livestock producers.
“Further, we urge leaders from the U.S. and EU to quickly resolve the underlying trade issues on steel and aluminum. Corn refiners have long believed in the importance of trade, and we welcome the opportunity to serve as a resource to help President Donald Trump in his efforts to improve U.S. economic circumstances. We appreciate President Trump’s efforts to identify and address trade barriers and look forward to achieving this goal.”
In response to the Trump Administration reinstating the full 25% tariff on steel imports and increasing tariffs on aluminum imports to 25% without exemptions, the EU has reinstated countermeasures (i.e., tariffs) it applied in 2018 and 2020. The EU also identified a list of products that could be subject to additional tariffs in mid-April following a public comment period. Many agricultural products are on those lists, including U.S. corn gluten feed and other corn-based critical feed additives. Exports of the U.S. refined corn products identified for EU duties total more than $150 million annually, including $70 million in annual corn gluten feed exports.
U.S. exports of corn gluten feed already face significant barriers to entering the EU, including long-standing challenges with exports of biotech corn and corn products to the region. Despite the findings of the U.S. dispute against the EU regarding measures affecting the approval of marketing of biotech products and subsequent U.S.-EU agreements, there are still significant barriers in place because of asynchronous biotech approvals. Additionally, the EU maintains onerous testing requirements for U.S. corn gluten feed exports, which add significant costs and unnecessary administrative burdens.
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About The Corn Refiners Association (CRA)
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.