In January, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) President and CEO Ryan LeGrand traveled on two missions with USGBC leadership to meet with government officials and other leaders in the energy and transportation sectors in Canada and Malaysia.
Chairman Mark Wilson, with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, and Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, traveled with LeGrand to Ottawa, Canada.
“Canada is one of U.S. agriculture’s most important export markets, with room to continue growing especially in biofuels,” Wilson said. “I think together we made an impression that our industry is ready to meet any and all increases in Canadian biofuel consumption.”
The delegation’s first meeting was with PAA Advisory for consultation on the current state of biofuel use in Canada and areas for expansion. Later at the U.S. embassy, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra spoke about his perspective on the trade relationship between the countries.
The next day was focused on groups and governmental branches affecting all aspects of biofuel production and use, including the Canadian Fuels Association, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Conversations covered the human and environmental benefits of ethanol and biofuels’ role in uplifting producers and the broader agricultural community.
Finally, the group met with Natural Resources Canada and Global Trade Canada to discuss proposed changes to Canada’s clean fuels regulation and reinforce the benefits of strong trade relations between the countries.
“There are so many factors that make Canada such a vital market for our producers, ranging from sheer demand to its proximity to key U.S. growing regions, and the Council and its partners will always seek to defend and expand U.S. market share with our partners,” LeGrand said.
Shortly after his trip to Canada, LeGrand and other USGBC members joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia is poised to be a major regional hub for ethanol trading, gasoline blending, aviation fuel production, and bunkering.
LeGrand was joined by USGBC Vice Chairman Jay Reiners, USGBC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEA&O) Caleb Wurth, USGBC Deputy Regional Director for SEA&O Chris Markey, and USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg.
During the mission, participants engaged in meetings with local industry, attended market briefings hosted by USDA staff and trade experts and participated in site visits to discuss the benefits of ethanol.
“The Council highly values its relationship with our industry and governmental counterparts and our mutual goal of keeping biofuels flowing for the betterment of the environment and consumers’ savings versus alternative options,” LeGrand said.
These first international trade missions of 2026 further USGBC’s commitment of expanding U.S. ethanol exports and industry partnerships to continue its mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives.
USGBC joined USDA for its Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pictured at a meeting with Petronas in Kuala Lumpur are USGBC Vice Chairman Jay Reiners (second from right); USGBC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEA&O) Caleb Wurth (third from right); USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand (fifth from right); Lindberg (seventh from right, rear); and USGBC Deputy Regional Director for SEA&O Chris Markey (seventh from left, rear).