Brazil has decided to delay its decision to place a 17-percent tariff on imports of United States ethanol. Renewable Fuel Association Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper says that’s a positive development for the U.S. ethanol industry. He says it gives both countries an opportunity to iron out their problems and reach an agreement that will allow biofuels trade.

He says the U.S. and Brazil have both benefitted from free trade and any disruption to that only harms both nations.

Cooper says if Brazil decided to proceed and place the tariff on U.S. ethanol imports it will only hurt their consumers.

Cooper says the more time each country’s ethanol leaders have a chance to work on their differences the more likely they’ll reach a positive solution.