Brussels, 04/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Prey to new trade friction since the beginning of the year (EUROPE 9850), transatlantic relations could become even more tense after the Council's clearance on Tuesday 3 March of antidumping and anti-subsidy duties against American exports of B99 biofuel. Member state trade experts have in fact approved a proposal along these lines from the European Commission which concludes, after an investigation launched in June 2008 on the basis of a complaint filed by European biofuel producers meeting under the banner of the European Biodiesel Board (EBB), that the American B99 enjoys a series of subsidies in the United States in the form of federal tax and excise credit, a federal programme to support development of the sector and various aids from states that give the competitive edge to American producers. According to the terms of the Commission's proposal, the Union will impose on American exports of B99 antidumping duties of 2-19 euro per 100 kg and anti-subsidy duties from 23 to 26 euro per 100 kg. These measures will be provisionally implemented for a six month period at most, one month after the decision, after which it will be up to the Commission to suggest that member states establish definitive measures for five years. The stakes of this decision are important as the biodiesel represents up to 80% of total EU biofuel production. Biofuels have become an important element of the European strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and diversify energy sources. Most biodiesel imports into Europe come from the United States, and are up from 7,000 in 2005 to nearly one million tonnes last year. (E.H./transl.jl)