The subsidy is paid at the blending of gasoline. It is paid regardless of the source. If we eliminated the tariff, the subsidy would still be paid, but we would be promoting the foreign import over domestic production without the tariff.
It costs 65% more energy to produce ethanol than the energy we derive from ethanol.
That has been proved false multiple times.
I am not a fan of the subsidy. But as long as we have it, the tariff is needed so we are not subsidizing foreign production.
“The subsidy is paid at the blending of gasoline. It is paid regardless of the source. If we eliminated the tariff, the subsidy would still be paid, but we would be promoting the foreign import over domestic production without the tariff.”
You appear to be forgetting about these subsidies.
http://farm.ewg.org/progdetail.php?fips=00000&progcode=corn