Similar agreements were announced with El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador, focusing on opening markets and reducing barriers
The governments of the United States and Argentina announced on Thursday (13.Nov.2025) the terms for a reciprocal trade and investment agreement. The White House states that the initiative deepens bilateral cooperation, with a focus on opening markets, reducing barriers and creating rules for sectors considered strategic.
Washington also announced agreements with , and .
According to the USTR (United States Trade Representative), the understanding reflects the “ambition and shared values” by countries. The US government claims that the framework will serve as a basis for formal agreement negotiations.
Ambassador Jamieson Greer said that Donald Trump’s administration wants to expand economic integration on the continent.
“President Trump’s leadership is forging a new era of partnership and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere, further advancing the economic and national security interests of the American people. Today’s announcements set the stage for reciprocal trade agreements that will open new markets for U.S. exports and reduce barriers faced by American workers and producers.”
According to the statements, the main points of the initial agreement between the USA and Argentina are:
- tariffs – Argentina will give preferential access to US exports, including medicines, chemicals, machinery, information technology items, medical devices, vehicles and agricultural products. The US will remove tariffs on certain natural resources unavailable on the US market and unpatented items used in pharmaceutical applications. The countries also committed to improving reciprocal market conditions for beef trade;
- elimination of non-tariff barriers – Argentina dismantled barriers that restricted access to its market and committed to not requiring consular formalities for US exports;
- standards and conformity assessment – Argentina will accept US goods that follow North American or international standards, without requiring additional evaluations. The country will accept U.S.-made vehicles that meet federal safety and emissions standards. It will also recognize FDA (Food and Drug Administration) certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceutical products;
- agricultural access – Argentina will simplify registration processes for US beef, beef derivatives, offal and pork products, and will not apply facility registration requirements for North American dairy products;
- work – Argentina reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of internationally recognized labor rights and will adopt a ban on the import of goods produced with forced labor, in addition to reinforcing the inspection of labor legislation;
- economic security alignment – Argentina and the USA will expand cooperation to confront commercial practices of countries that adopt non-market-based policies. The governments will work on joint mechanisms on export control, investment security, combating tariff evasion and related topics.
- digital commerce – Argentina will recognize the US as an appropriate jurisdiction for cross-border data transfer, will not impose tariffs on electronic transmissions, will not adopt taxes on digital services and will commit to avoiding discrimination against US digital services or digital products. The country also intends to recognize electronic signatures valid under US law.
Governments inform that technical teams will continue to work on defining formal agreements. The terms announced on Thursday only establish the parameters for the next negotiation phases.
The United States government states that North American companies have operated in Argentina for around 200 years and that this relationship resulted in a surplus of US$2 billion in 2024. According to the USTR, the new framework of understanding seeks to expand this historical trajectory of opportunities for the productive sectors of both countries.
The 2 countries began to approach each other a few months ago. In October, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Trump administration released a US$20 billion grant to Argentina. The agreement ended President Javier Milei’s party (La Libertad Avanza, right) in the legislative elections.
In early October, Milei carried out US military exercises on national territory.
