Brazil's foreign minister said that his country is likely to press the World Trade Organisation to take action against US tariffs on ethanol imports.

Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said Brazil "as a very strong case and there is a good chance" that the nation will urge the WTO to take action against the US.

The US places a 54 cents per gallon tariff on ethanol imported from Brazil, where the fuel is made from sugarcane.

American producers mostly use the more costly corn to make the fuel.

In June Brazil got a big win when the WTO ruled against the US and its cotton subsidies, allowing Brazil to seek $4 billion in retaliation.

Amorim spoke to foreign correspondents in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.