The return of former president Donald Trump to the center of the international economic debate brings with him a new package of tariffs that shakes world trade.
This time, the measure not only points to China, but impacts all countries, including several United States strategic allies.
Among those affected is also Guatemala, although with a lower impact.
What are the new Trump tariffs and why Donald Trump imposed them?
A tariff is a tax applied to foreign products that enter a country.
In this case, Trump has imposed New tariff rates to 185 countriesas part of what he has baptized as the “Commercial Liberation Day”.
Trump’s speech has remained firm since his first presidency: “United States first”. According to the White House, this measure seeks to protect the American industry against what it considers unfair competition.
However, international experts warn that politics could have counterproductive consequences for the global economy and, in particular, for exporting countries, including several Latin America.
China, the main target, but also the beneficiary?
China, the second economy in the world, was one of the first to respond. Beijing imposed mirror tariffs and announced restrictions on the export of rare earths, key elements for technological and medical industries.
However, unlike the first tariff wave in its first term, this time China is not alone: the United States included countries of Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America in its list of encumbrances.
The researcher Lizzi Lee, of the Institute of Policy of the Asian Society, believes that China could take advantage of this new scenario to approach countries such as Japan and South Korea, historical allies of the United States, but increasingly cautious with Washington’s foreign policy.
“If Trump’s unilateralism continues, Beijing will seek to strengthen ties with these capitals, presenting itself as a more stable economic alternative in the region,” says Lee.
The countries most affected by Trump’s tariffs in 2025
Among the countries that must pay the highest tariffs to enter products to the United States, there are:
- China: 34% (plus additional 20% imposed previously)
Latin America: limited damage or future warning?
Although Latin America is not among the most beaten, the imposition of tariffs marks a Change in the commercial relationship with the US.
For decades, Washington promoted free trade treaties such as CAFTA-DR or NAFTA (now USMCA), which sought to facilitate trade without barriers.
Trump’s tariff policy, however, Break with that multilateral and rules -based approach.
For many, this generates doubts about the stability of the existing agreements and the reliability of the United States as a commercial partner.
Most Latin American countries face a 10% fixed tariffthe minimum applied by the US in this package. However, there are exceptions:
- Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, among others: 10%
What place does Guatemala occupy?
Guatemala is among the countries less affectedwith a tariff of the 10% About its products exported to the United States.
This places it on the same level as other Central American countries such as Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Although the percentage is low compared to economies such as Vietnam or Sri Lanka, The impact should not be underestimated. Guatemala has one High commercial dependence with the United Statesespecially in sectors such as:
- Agriculture (coffee, banana, vegetables)
What can Guatemala do before this new panorama?
Faced with this new international scenario, Guatemala can adopt various strategies to cushion the commercial impact.
Experts consulted by Free press In the weeks after the day of liberation they suggested several key actions, including:
- Diversify markets export, with special emphasis on Asia and Europe.
- Bet on innovation and added value In national products, to compete beyond the price.
- Strengthen economic diplomacy and look for bilateral agreements that reduce the tariff load.
- Support small and medium export companies in their process of adaptation to the new global context.
In fact, Amador Carbadillo, general director of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT), warned of April 4 on the negative effects that commercial uncertainty can generate.
During the presentation of the report Market Intelligence for ExportersAgexport also recommended exploring new destinations for Guatemalan products, such as the markets of South America.