As President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda roils an already-reeling rural economy, one agriculture-related sector is looking to seize the moment to expand domestic markets of its products.
Industry groups for producers of biofuels like ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel already enjoy bipartisan support among farm-state lawmakers. Now, as Trump’s trade war imperils export markets for other farm commodities, they’re trying to build on that backing by pitching their energy products as a key way to offset losses elsewhere.
“We really think there’s a strong case to be made that we need to be refocusing and doubling down on policies and steps that can be taken to boost domestic consumption and domestic demand for ethanol and by extension boost demand for corn and other crops,” Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in an interview.
The biofuels industry and its supporters are stepping up advocacy at a time when the president’s tariffs are threatening farmers’ income from exports and his push to expand fossil fuel production shifts the energy landscape away from the Biden administration’s green agenda. They’re trying to sell climate-skeptical Trump officials on the idea that they can help increase domestic energy production while helping farmers weather the impact of retaliatory tariffs and funding cuts.
