He United States Government is evaluating the possibility of establishing Regional tariff agreements As part of its strategy to reform international commercial policy, as confirmed by the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Besentin an interview granted today, Sunday May 18, to the chain CNN.
“There are many small commercial relations in which we can simply set a figure. My other feeling is that we will make many regional agreements: this is the rate for Central America, this is for this part of Africa,” said Besent.
The proposal arises in the context of the current commercial negotiations promoted by the administration of the President Donald Trumpafter granting in early April a 90 -day pause to the reciprocal tariffs that he had imposed on several of its commercial partners.
Tariffs with China and redefinition of commercial relations
Although initially China It was not included in tariff exemptions, a recent meeting in Swiss Among delegations from both countries allowed the impasse to unlock.
As a result, the United States temporarily reduced tariffs to Chinese products to 30%what still represents 20 percentage points plus than taxes for Beijing to US goods.
Besent also stressed that the United States currently has 18 important commercial partners and at least another 20 with solid relationships.
According to the secretary, everyone has been warned that, if they do not negotiate in good faith, the tariffs could Return to April 2 levels.
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Strategic approach to key sectors
During the interview, Besent criticized the previous Democratic Administration, headed by Joe Biden (2021-2025)for not having addressed commercial challenges before.
Stressed that, after detecting strategic deficiencies In sectors such as medications, semiconductors, steel and other essential productsthe current objective of the US government is Recover these industries in the medium term.
“We want these industries to return to the United States as soon as possible, as long as we continue to trade the rest of products at lower tariff levels,” he said.
Potential impact for Central America
The explicit mention of Central America as one of the regions with which a Regional Tariff Agreement It has aroused interest in the productive and exporting sectors of the region.
These types of agreements could facilitate greater access to US markets, as long as certain standards and conditions are met.
Guatemala prepares to negotiate tariffs with the USA in Washington
It is important to remember that, from the April 2, 2025, The United States set a 10% tariff For the imports of Guatemalan productsas part of its new commercial policy. This measure has generated restlessness in the export sector of Guatemala, which from that date to worked to prepare a proposal and seek to maintain competitive access to the US market.
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Given this, the Guatemala government announced last Thursday that next May 27 A Key meeting at Washington DC, in which it is expected to discuss possible Tariff adjustments and the inclusion of the country in an eventual Regional Agreement.
The High Level Guatemalan Delegation which will participate in the meeting will be headed by the Minister of Economy, Gabriela Garcíaand also integrated by the Chancellor Carlos Ramiro Martínez and the Guatemala ambassador to the United States, Hugo Betetaas confirmed by the Ministry of Economy (Mineco).
This diplomatic and commercial approach occurs at a crucial moment, since the United States has expressed interest in establishing Tariff agreements by regionsbeing Central America One of the areas considered within this new strategy.