The White House said Thursday that it has reached new trade agreements with four Latin American nations to reduce tariffs on imports of coffee, bananas, and beef from Argentina.
The White House has finalized deals with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina that will remove tariffs on goods not grown or produced in adequate quantities within the United States.
The deals will eliminate tariffs on bananas and coffee from Ecuador, along with coffee, textiles, and apparel from Guatemala.
The overall tariff rates for the four countries will remain unchanged—10% for Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina, and 15% for Ecuador.
A senior administration official stated that under the agreements reached this week, the four Latin American countries will refrain from implementing digital services taxes, which are designed to regulate competition in the tech sector, similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
The official also noted that some deals contain provisions on critical minerals, reflecting U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on China for these resources.
The agreement with Argentina is expected to lift the 10% tariff on its beef imports. However, the deal does not seem to alter the U.S. quota that limits the volume of Argentine beef allowed into the country.
Thursday’s declaration coincides with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to support Argentine President Javier Milei, a strong Trump ally, and a $20 billion currency swap arrangement with Argentina’s central bank.
The Trump administration began a round of trade talks this summer with countries seeking relief from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs. Initially, the negotiations targeted major partners such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, all of which struck preliminary agreements in July to ease the threatened duties.
The administration is now turning its focus toward smaller economies in Asia, South America, and other regions.
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