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Trump administration says it has trade
frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala
[November 14, 2025]
By JOSH BOAK and SONIA
PÉREZ D.
WASHINGTON
(AP) — The Trump administration said Thursday that it had reached trade
frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala.
The frameworks are about increasing the ability of U.S. firms to sell
industrial and agricultural products in these countries, according to a
senior administration official who insisted on anonymity as a condition
for briefing reporters on a call about the agreements. |
President Donald Trump gestures toward the media as he walks down the
stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md.,
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, after returning from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm
Beach, Fla. and en route to an NFL football game between the Washington
Commanders and the Detroit Lions. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) |
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The
White House also released statements on the frameworks, which
have yet to be finalized and are expected to be signed within
roughly two weeks. It's all part of a broader effort by
President Donald Trump to rewrite the rules of global commerce
through the use of broad tariffs.
President Javier Milei of Argentina hailed his country’s first
bilateral trade framework with the U.S. in nearly a decade as
“tremendous news.”
“As you can see, we are strongly committed to making Argentina
great again,” he said.
The frameworks touch on an array of subjects, including efforts
to reduce nontariff barriers and cut tariffs to 0% on
American-made goods as well as commitments to not impose digital
services taxes on U.S. companies. There would also be tariff
relief on select products from these countries. For example,
import licenses in these countries would be eliminated and
streamlined, while nations would agree to resolve issues on
intellectual property rights.
Under the tariffs previously announced at the end of July by
Trump, goods imported from Argentina, El Salvador and Guatemala
are taxed at 10%, as the U.S. runs a trade surplus with each of
those countries. Products from Ecuador, with which America runs
a trade deficit, are taxed at 15%.
Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo called the framework “good
news” and said his country would be in a position to attract new
investments.
He said that 70% of the products Guatemala exports to the U.S.
will face zero tariffs under the framework, as exclusions are
granted for goods the U.S. is unable to make. All other goods
would still be subject to the 10% tariff.
The U.S. senior administration official said that tariffs in
these nations could be reduced on coffee, cocoa and bananas.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump have each suggested
that the tariffs are being relaxed as affordability issues are a
key concern for U.S. voters.
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Pérez D. reported from Guatemala City, Guatemala. AP writer
Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Santiago, Chile.
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