This April 8, representatives of the private sector and government authorities Se gathered to establish a road map that will be presented in the United Statesafter April 5, a 10% tariff for imports to the North American country of Guatemalan products entered into force. This provision was ordered by President Donald Trump.
After the end of the meeting, some government authorities were observedsuch as President Bernardo Arévalo and the Ministers of Economy, Finance and Agriculture. On the private sector side, the representatives of El Cacif, the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG), the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), the Chamber of Commerce, the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT), the Chamber of Agro (Camagro) and the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) were observed.
The president of the Bank of Guatemala, Álvaro González Ricci, declared that the road map seeks that tariffs imposed on Guatemalan products They can be eliminated, reduced or at least established in equal conditions with the United States government.
The official said: “In the end, the Bank of Guatemala is a presentation of how the macroeconomy is currently and what we expect by 2025, which we evidence that we are in a very favorable position before all other countries in the region, In addition to having a favorable time factor to start looking for meetings“
Ricci said that it is still very soon to dimension the problems that the tariffs imposed in the United States will entail, and that the most important thing is to solve the situation together.
For his part, the president of Cacif, Charles Bland, explained that some of the strategies raised by the Committee are related to exports and imports, procedures, streamlining and competitiveness of the country. In addition, he indicated that tariffs imposed in the United States They will impact everyone, from companies, suppliers and vendors, to other economic actors.
“The United States is one of the largest markets we have, so the idea we have is work to lower tariffs as much as possible. I think it is a direct impact towards everyone, because the fact that it impacts companies, impacts workers, suppliers, “said Bland.
Finally, Jonathan Menkos, Minister of Finance, said that the priority issues at the work tables and in the road map that will be sent to the United States They are focused on non -tariff barriers.
“There is a discussion about certain barriers that are perceived as non -tariff and that have to do with management in the ports, with care and speed in licenses, health records, medication records, and all this is part of the work agenda that will be required“Menkos said.