To do this, the Ministry of Economy (Mineco) announced two weeks ago that the authorities of that country would send to the Government of Guatemala a proposal of framework for negotiation.
However, as reported on Wednesday, June 11, Francisco Ralda, president of the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT), the United States will also send a confidentiality agreement. This would prevent details of the tariff negotiations.
The manager indicated that the framework agreement and the confidentiality agreement that the US must send. UU. To the Guatemalan authorities. Until yesterday, I had no knowledge of whether the government has already received it; However, when signed a negotiation could be initiated.
Although he said that he has no information about the content, Ralda considers that the framework agreement will be contextualized regarding compliance with actions to solve the eight requirements to solve non -tariff commercial barriers. However, regardless of what may contain, it expresses that you must continue working to meet these requirements.
It also considers the content that the confidentiality agreement will have important, as well as how much can be disclosed by the government authorities about these issues, or if it will have some limitations. However, he hopes that the information will continue to flow properly to maintain the necessary coordination with the government.
Until yesterday, the Mineco had not responded to the documents to sign. The Vice Minister of Investment and Competition, Valeria Prado, indicated that he could not give statements on the subject.
The expectations of the sectors came up with the arrival of the Undersecretary of State of the United States, Christopher Landau. The official scheduled visits this week to Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador. In the country it will be Thursday and Friday and there is expectation that you bring answers on the topic of tariffs.
On its tour, Landau includes meetings with authorities to address issues that strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation, as well as conversations to boost economic growth led by the private sector, in addition to promoting commercial investments in the United States in the region and treating the eradication of illegal immigration, as announced by the Embassy of that country in Guatemala recently.
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In addition, on Wednesday in Congress, when consulted by journalists about the recent visit to Washington, the Minister of Economy, Gabriela García, recalled that they already met with ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative (USTR). The official described as an achievement that they have received from the delegation of Guatemala, as they have 98 countries that have requested an appointment and must meet with each one.
He explained that Guatemala has already passed that phase and that the technical teams of both countries are now in communication, although he did not detail what the next step is. He added that both the government and the private sector will continue to be working, since it is a country issue with a direct impact on exporters, and also in American importers and entrepreneurs who export towards Guatemala, who can now face certain challenges to do so.
Garcia, although he does not advance expectations about Guatemala’s commercial relations with the US, highlights that opening the negotiation channel is a good symptom and demonstrates that there is openness.
Regarding non -tariff commercial barriers, the minister explained that these eight points are disaggregated in many activities, in addition to the fact that many have already been served or had advance since last year, so there are different levels of progress in each of those actions.
He added that this was the reason for the conversation with the United States authorities in the visit made two weeks ago: to solve those eight points that, at the country and competitiveness level, should be addressed. Therefore, working on many of these measures, which are facilities for business.