In mid -June it was learned that the Ministry of Economy (Mineco) expected US authorities to send a confidentiality agreement within the framework of the 10% tariff negotiations with that country.
Managers of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT) shared Free press that the confidentiality document was already signed by the Guatemalan authorities and also confirmed the Minister of Economy, Gabriela García, who said that You cannot give more details about negotiations so that tariffs for Guatemala are reduced or eliminated, “Taking into account that the Confidentiality Agreement with the USA was already signed.” But he said: “We are in the process of communication.”
Amador Carballido, Executive Director of AGEXPOR The confidentiality agreement must be respected, since it is a “normal” process when circles of trust are established.
“The other countries that are also negotiating are not anticipating much information. Until both parties achieve the agreement, the results begin to communicate,” said the Agexport director.
In that sense, Juan Carlos Zapata, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa), agreed and said that It is a requirement that the US government is demanding to all the countries that want to negotiate.
Zapata added that we are at a key moment in the dialogue of the negotiation process and as soon as possible to communicate progress of the process, “it will be done with total transparency,” he said.
“Out of respect for the bilateral process, specific details cannot be disseminated. SE deals with an ongoing technical dialogue, where confidentiality is key to protecting the strategic information and position of Guatemala“Funda said.
Charles Bland, president of Cacif, confirmed to agree that it has been done in this way, Conside that at this stage it is strategic to protect the interests of the country.
“We trust that the joint work that has been promoting will have benefit results for the country and so that preferential access for Guatemala exports is restored,” said the manager.
Solve obstacles
The Ministry of Economy advances in actions to overcome non -tariff barriers indicated by the United States, in coordination with the public and private sector. “This continuous effort seeks to solve obstacles, strengthen the competitiveness of the country and facilitate access to Guatemalan products to the US market,” Zapata said.
The Chamber of Industry (CIG) said that they agree with the signing of the agreement in the sense that allows Guatemala to have conversations with the United States to address the issue of 10% tariffs that currently apply to Guatemala.
As an industrial sector, they assured that they are in constant communication with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this area of great importance for the Guatemalan business sector. “As an institution, we are collaborating with the Government to implement immediate actions for the simplification and digitalization of procedures, since the current processing represents a barrier to trade and subtracts us competitiveness as a country. The simplification and digitalization of procedures will benefit both Guatemalan and American companies, “they said.
They expect meeting
Carballido said that Guatemala has already delivered his commitments at the first meeting and the US authorities. They already have the offer; Therefore, they are waiting for a second meeting.
“What worries us is that it arrives on July 9 and we still are not clear what will happen to the second appointment and the proposed proposal,” said Carballido.
Approach
Regarding non -tariff commercial barriers, the minister explained in June that the eight points of the non -tariff barriers were already attended or showed progress since last year, so there are different levels of progress in each of those actions.
He added, at that time, that this was the reason for the conversation with the United States authorities in the visit, at the end of last May, to solve those eight points that, at the country and competitiveness level, should be addressed.
According to Vietnam
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced yesterday the closure of a new commercial agreement with Vietnam, which includes 20% of tariffs on imports of the Asian nation and 40% on shipments of Vietnamese goods through third countries, while giving Washington “total access” to their market, where they can sell.
The US president, Donald Trump, announced Wednesday that he closed a commercial agreement with Vietnam that establishes a tariff of at least 20% on Vietnamese exports to the United States.
The agreement will considerably increase the price of footwear and clothing that the country of Southeast Asia exports massively to the United States. But it is the price that Hanói had to pay to avoid the threat of an even higher tariff, of 46%.
Trump announced in early April his so -called “reciprocal” tariffs against the rest of the world: a minimum surcharge of 10%, which rises to 50% for countries that export more to the United States than they matter in American products.
Before the stupor and panic in the financial markets, the Republican president suspended his highest rates for 90 days, but it is likely that they will be in force again on July 9.
“I just achieved a commercial agreement with Vietnam. Details soon!” Trump wrote on his social truth platform.
In another message he explained that it had been “a great honor” and that he had spoken with “To Lam, the respected general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.”
Vietnam opens its market
By virtue of the agreement, the goods of the Asian country that enter in the United States will be taxed with a tariff of 20% and 40% by the products that are sent through Vietnam from other countries.
“In return, Vietnam will do something unpublished: it will give the United States total access to its commercial markets,” Trump said.
“In other words, they will open their market to the United States, which means that we can sell our products in Vietnam without tariffs,” he said and estimated that it will be a great opportunity for SUV vehicles.
The United States is Vietnam’s main export market with US $ 57 billion during the first five months of 2025.
Vietnam confirmed the agreement without specifying the amount of tariffs.
“President Donald Trump valued Vietnam’s commitment to provide preferential access to American products, including large -displayed vehicles,” said the Vietnamese government in a statement.
The 20% surcharge “is a much better result than the initial 46%, but I would not get too excited,” said Dan Martin, of the consultant Dezan Shira & Associates.
Martin wonders how 40% will apply because “if the United States includes products with foreign components, it could affect many companies.”
The actions of textile companies and sporting articles manufacturers first won ground on Wall Street, before falling after Trump’s second message.
*With AFP information.