The Undersecretary of State of the United States for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Christopher Landau, will meet on Friday, June 13 with the President of the Republic, Bernardo Arévalo, and also has a meeting with the business sector, according to the Cacif this Thursday.
Both that entity and other business organizations ask for the restoration of preferential tariffs based on the Free Trade Agreement of both countries.
Within the framework of the official’s visit to Guatemala, the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF) reported that Landau will hold an encounter with the organized private sector.
Therefore, “to maintain its competitiveness, it is essential to restore preferential access of tariffs for Guatemalan products, within the framework of CAFTA-DR, and avoid disadvantages against other competitors such as Mexico,” says Cencit in a statement distributed in their social networks.
The Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the Chamber of Agro de Guatemala (Camagro), about the importance of our country as a strategic partner of the United States.
Landau has visited Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala, on a tour that covers from June 10 to 13.
🇬🇹🤝🇺🇸 Cencit stands out: the Guatemala-EE.Uu relationship. It is history of shared benefits. In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded US $ 15B, with surplus for USA Guatemala buys more, it produces with quality and complies. Commitment to clear rules and mutual prosperity. #Cencit #Caftadr pic.twitter.com/8jigwsqce1
– Cencit_gua (@Cencitg) June 12, 2025
The business sector identified four priority areas in which both countries can continue to strengthen their strategic relationship with a long -term vision, the cacif details:
1. Formal employment and trade
According to Cacif, formal employment and trade are key to reducing irregular migration.
He states that the generation of formal employment in Guatemala is the most effective way to reduce irregular migration, and points out that the sectors that make up said entity generate thousands of jobs, particularly in areas with high migratory potential.
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In this context, the business organization emphasizes the need to strengthen the commercial relationship with the United States and restore preferential access to the market under the framework of the Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), in order to maintain the conditions that allow growing in investment, employment and productive stability.
The sector indicates that Guatemala is a partner who buys more than exports to the United States, an aspect that favors the creation of jobs in strategic sectors of both countries.
Another point mentioned in this axis is the collaboration of the sector with labor reintegration programs for returnee Guatemalans, since they are part of the joint strategy to offer real alternatives within the country and reduce migratory flows.
2. Commitment to democracy and the rule of law
The second axis is the commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
The sector indicates that it supports institutional strengthening, the separation of powers and respect for the law as the basis for investment, trust and sustainable development, based on the Political Constitution. He says that the country is aligned with democratic and freedom values that he shares with the United States.
He shows in his statement that Guatemala is a country “that firmly supports Taiwan and rejects the influence of authoritarian regimes such as Venezuela.”
3. Security
They refer to hemispheric security and the importance of a strategic alliance to combat transnational threats.
The CACIF supports an alliance with the United States in defense of hemispheric security. This should be based on frontal combat to organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal structures that threaten the borders, adds in its bulletin released on social networks.
“Guatemala has proven to be an active partner, collaborating in joint operations and extraditions. The private sector adds to this commitment strengthening chains of supply of legal, traceable and safe goods and services, essential for legitimate trade and stability of the region.”
Amcham celebrates the Deputy Secretary of State visit of the United States, @DEPUTYSECTATE Christopher Landau, which shows the strength of the bilateral relationship of the United States government and the private sector. Read our full statement: pic.twitter.com/osavuojt0c
– Amcham Guatemala (@amchamgt) June 12, 2025
4. Investment for competitiveness
The fourth identified axis is that of strategic investment and infrastructure for hemispheric competitiveness.
They state that they promote initiatives that strengthen Guatemala’s logistics, logistics and competitiveness, which will contribute to consolidate it as the United States strategic partner.
They support the signing of an acceptance letter with the US Army Engineers. UU. To expand and modernize Puerto Quetzal. The approval of legal reforms to modernize the legal frameworks of investment in infrastructure, the implementation of the new Infrastructure Law, improvements to the Contracting Law and the Public-Private Alliances Law, so that the country has competitive and transparent conditions to attract capital, execute strategic projects and consolidate its position in the current geopolitical conditions.
The Cacif highlights international confidence signals by mentioning that Guatemala reached the BB+ qualification at sovereign risk, granted by the Standard and Poor’s qualifier. This qualification “reflects the country’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, fiscal responsibility and an environment conducive to investment.”
They express their willingness to continue working with long -term vision.
Cacif reaffirms Guatemala’s commitment to be a reliable partner of the United States of America to strengthen economic prosperity, regional security and the defense of democratic values.
Read the full statement here ⬇️ … pic.twitter.com/pjcgcs4w5s
– Cacif (@cacifguatemala) June 12, 2025