Details on Trump’s Trade Deal Frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, & Guatemala

The blog this week is all about catching up on the trade deals that happened last week (and one from the week prior). On Tuesday, we covered the trade deal the Trump Administration made at the end of last week with Switzerland and Liechtenstein as well as the deal President Trump announced the previous week with Uzbekistan. Today, we cover trade deals the administration made earlier last week with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

These trade deals again set up framework for larger deals to come; however, framework deals shouldn’t be dismissed as simply preludes to larger deals. The agreements made in the framework deals do get enacted, especially in regard to tariffs being adjusted.

These framework trade deals are aimed at lowering some Western Hemisphere tariffs while looking to strengthen supply chains on this side of the globe.

The White House published a joint statement on each “agreement on reciprocal trade” between the United States and Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala, respectively. The deal with Argentina is an “agreement on reciprocal trade and investment,” about which the White House also published a joint statement.

The full texts of the statements are included below (in alphabetical order), but first we’ll give a few bullet points covering highlights for each deal.

Argentina Trade Deal Highlights

• Concerning tariffs, Argentina will give preferential treatment to a wide range of U.S. products
• The U.S. will remove the reciprocal tariffs on certain unavailable natural resources and non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications.
• Argentina has removed non-tariff barriers to U.S. goods, including import licensing and additional conformity assessment standards beyond international and U.S. standards.
• Special emphasis was placed on improving market access for the trade of beef between the countries.
• Argentina will phase out statistical tax for U.S. goods.
• Argentina has taken action against IP theft.
• Argentina will prohibit the importation of goods produced through forced labor.
• Argentina will combat illegal logging.
• Argentina and the U.S. will cooperate to facilitate investment and trade in critical minerals.
• The countries will work together to stabilize global soybean trade.
• Argentina will address state-owned companies and subsidies that distort markets and negatively impact trade with the U.S.
• Argentina will take actions to facilitate digital trade with the U.S.

Ecuador Trade Deal Highlights

• Ecuador will reduce or eliminate tariffs in key sectors for the United States.
• U.S. will remove reciprocal tariffs on qualifying exports from Ecuador that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the U.S. in sufficient quantities.
• Ecuador will work with U.S. to address non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods, in particular U.S. agricultural goods.
• Ecuador will address IP issues.
• Ecuador will prohibit importation of goods produced through forced labor.
• Ecuador will combat illegal logging and wildlife trade.
• Ecuador will facilitate digital trade with the U.S.
• The U.S. and Ecuador will cooperate to strengthen security and enhance supply chain resilience.

El Salvador Trade Deal Highlights

• El Salvador will reduce or eliminate a wide range of non-tariff barriers to various U.S. goods.
• In particular, El Salvador will address barriers to U.S. agricultural goods.
• El Salvador will move forward with international IP treaties.
• El Salvador will prevent barriers to digital trade with the U.S.
• El Salvador and the U.S. will support multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
• El Salvador will prohibit importation of goods produced through forced labor.
• El Salvador will enforce high levels of environmental protections, including against illegal logging, wildlife trade, and mining.
• El Salvador will address state-owned companies and subsidies that distort markets and negatively impact trade with the U.S.
• The U.S. and Ecuador will cooperate to strengthen security enhance supply chain resilience.

Guatemala Trade Deal Highlights

• Guatemala will address non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods.
• Barriers on U.S. agricultural goods is a specific area of focus.
• Guatemala will implement IP protection.
• Guatemala will facilitate free and fair digital trade with the U.S. and support permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
• Guatemala will prohibit importation of goods produced through forced labor.
• Guatemala will improve governance to combat illegal logging, wildlife trade, and mining.
• Guatemala will address state-owned companies and subsidies that distort markets and negatively impact trade with the U.S.
• The U.S. and Guatemala will cooperate to strengthen security enhance supply chain resilience.

Argentina Trade Deal – Full Text of Joint Statement

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/11/joint-statement-on-framework-for-a-united-states-argentina-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade-and-investment

JOINT STATEMENT ON FRAMEWORK FOR A UNITED STATES-ARGENTINA AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT

The White House / November 13, 2025

President Donald J. Trump and President Javier Milei reaffirm the strategic alliance between the United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Argentine Republic (Argentina), grounded in shared democratic values and a common vision for free enterprise, private initiative, and open markets. 

In pursuit of a stronger, more balanced economic partnership, the United States and Argentina have agreed to a Framework to deepen bilateral trade and investment cooperation.  This Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment (Agreement) seeks to drive long-term growth, expand opportunity, and create a transparent and rules-based environment for commerce and innovation. 

The outcome reflects the countries’ shared ambition and values, and builds on actions Argentina has already taken to modernize its trade and investment regime and foster reciprocal conditions.

Key elements of the deal will include:

• Tariffs:  The countries will open their markets to each other on key products.  Argentina will provide preferential market access for U.S. goods exports, including certain medicines, chemicals, machinery, information technologies products, medical devices, motor vehicles, and a wide range of agricultural products.  In recognition of Argentina’s ambitious reform agenda and its trade commitments, and consistent with Argentina’s compliance with relevant supply chain and economic security requirements, the United States will remove the reciprocal tariffs on certain unavailable natural resources and non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications.  In addition, the United States may positively consider the effect that the Agreement has on national security, including taking the Agreement into consideration when taking trade action under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).  Furthermore, the countries have committed to improved, reciprocal, bilateral market access conditions for trade in beef.
• Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers:  Argentina has dismantled many non-tariff barriers that restricted access to its market, including import licensing, ensuring a more level playing field for international trade, and with this Agreement has committed not to require consular formalities for U.S. exports to Argentina.  Argentina will also phase out the statistical tax for U.S. goods.
• Standards and Conformity Assessment:  Argentina is aligning with international standards in sectors to facilitate trade.  Argentina will allow U.S. goods that comply with applicable U.S. or international standards, U.S. technical regulations, or U.S. or international conformity assessment procedures to enter Argentina without additional conformity assessment requirements, and will continue to eliminate non-tariff barriers that affect trade in priority areas.  Argentina will accept importation of vehicles manufactured in the United States to U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and emissions standards, and will accept U.S. Food and Drug Administration certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
• Intellectual Property:  Argentina has taken action against a major, notorious, regional market for counterfeit goods and will continue to improve enforcement against counterfeit and pirated goods, including in the online environment.  Argentina has also committed to address structural challenges cited in the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s 2025 Special 301 report, including patentability criteria, patent backlog, and geographical indications, as well as to work towards aligning its intellectual property regime with international standards. 
• Agricultural Market Access:  Argentina has opened its market to U.S. live cattle, committed to allow market access for U.S. poultry within one year, and agreed not to restrict market access for products that use certain cheese and meat terms.  Argentina will simplify product registration processes for U.S. beef, beef products, beef offal, and pork products, and will not apply facility registration for imports of U.S. dairy products.  The United States and Argentina intend to work together to address non-tariff barriers affecting trade in food and agricultural products. 
• Labor:  Argentina has reaffirmed its commitment to protect internationally recognized labor rights.  In addition, Argentina will adopt and implement a prohibition on the importation of goods produced by forced or compulsory labor and strengthen enforcement of labor laws.
• Environment:  Argentina has committed to take measures to further combat illegal logging; encourage a more resource efficient economy, including in the critical minerals sector; and fully implement the obligations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
• Economic Security Alignment:  Argentina will enhance cooperation with the United States to combat non-market policies and practices of other countries.  The two countries have also committed to identifying tools to align approaches to export controls, investment security, duty evasion, and other important topics.  
• Commercial Considerations and Opportunities:  Argentina and the United States will cooperate to facilitate investment and trade in critical minerals.  The two countries also agreed to work toward stabilizing the global soybean trade.
• Confronting State-Owned Enterprises and Subsidies:  Argentina has committed to address potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and to address industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship.
• Digital Trade:  Argentina has committed to facilitating digital trade with the United States by recognizing the United States as an adequate jurisdiction under Argentine law for the cross-border transfer of data, including personal data; and by refraining from discrimination against U.S. digital services or digital products.  Argentina also intends to recognize as valid under its law electronic signatures that are valid under U.S. law.

The United States and Argentina will work expeditiously to finalize the text of the Agreement for signature and undertake their respective domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force. 

The countries will review implementation of the Agreement and continue close coordination on trade and investment matters through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, and the Innovation and Creativity Forum for Economic Development. 

Ecuador Trade Deal – Full Text of Joint Statement

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/11/joint-statement-on-framework-for-united-states-ecuador-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade

JOINT STATEMENT ON FRAMEWORK FOR UNITED STATES-ECUADOR AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL TRADE

The White House / November 13, 2025

President Donald J. Trump and President Daniel Noboa affirm a shared vision of growth for both of our countries, grounded in democratic values, private initiative, and a rules-based environment for commerce and innovation.  Seeking to strengthen our commercial and economic relationship, the United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Republic of Ecuador (Ecuador) have agreed to a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) that will provide access to each other’s markets and increase alignment on economic and national security matters.  

The Agreement will build upon longstanding economic engagement, including under the U.S.-Ecuador Trade and Investment Council Agreement, which was signed in 1990 and updated in 2020, expanding opportunities and fueling long-term growth.

Key terms of the Agreement between the United States and Ecuador will include:

• Tariffs:  Ecuador has committed to reduce or eliminate tariffs in key sectors for the United States, including machinery, health products, ICT goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, and certain agricultural products.  Ecuador also intends to establish tariff-rate quotas on a number of other agricultural goods.  The United States commits to remove its reciprocal tariffs on certain qualifying exports from Ecuador that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities.
• Non-Tariff Barriers:  The United States and Ecuador will work together to address Ecuador’s non-tariff barriers that affect trade in priority areas.  Ecuador has committed to address such barriers, including, for example:
• Agriculture:  Ecuador is reforming its import licensing and facility registration systems for food and agricultural products to enhance transparency and predictability and reduce onerous and unnecessary barriers to U.S. agricultural exports.  Ecuador has committed to ensuring that market access will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese and meat terms.
• Trade Facilitation:  Ecuador will continue to advance trade facilitation measures, including by ending pre-shipment inspection mandates, establishing contingency plans for its Single Window, and expanding its Authorized Economic Operator program to include express delivery carriers within three months.
• Intellectual Property:  Ecuador has committed to ensure transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications and to address issues identified in the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s 2025 Special 301 Report.  The United States and Ecuador will continue to finalize commitments on international intellectual property treaties.
• Labor:Ecuador has committed to protect internationally recognized labor rights and strengthen enforcement of its labor laws.  In addition, Ecuador will adopt and implement a prohibition on the importation of goods produced by forced or compulsory labor.
• Environment:  Ecuador has committed to adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws.  Ecuador has also committed to take measures to improve forest sector governance and combat illegal logging; encourage a more resource efficient economy; fully implement the obligations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; strengthen enforcement of its fisheries-related measures; and combat illegal wildlife trade.
• Services:  Ecuador has committed to not introduce new discriminatory barriers to services and remove barriers on advertising services.
• Digital Trade:  Ecuador has committed to facilitate digital trade, including through commitments to not impose digital service taxes that discriminate against U.S. companies and to support adoption of a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the WTO.
• Economic and National Security:  The United States and Ecuador are committed to strengthening economic and national security cooperation and enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address non-market policies as well as combatting duty evasion and cooperating on investment security and export controls.

The United States and Ecuador are working to finalize the Agreement, prepare the Agreement for signature, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force.  Given Ecuador’s commitments to take significant steps to advance a more reciprocal trade relationship, the United States will remove its reciprocal tariffs on certain qualifying exports from Ecuador to the United States.

The United States and Ecuador will review progress on implementation of the Agreement and continue close coordination on trade and investment matters through their Trade and Investment Council. 

El Salvador Trade Deal – Full Text of Joint Statement

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/11/joint-statement-on-framework-for-united-states-el-salvador-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade

JOINT STATEMENT ON FRAMEWORK FOR UNITED STATES-EL SALVADOR AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL TRADE

The White House / November 13, 2025

The United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Republic of El Salvador (El Salvador) have agreed to a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) that further strengthens and builds upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for the United States and El Salvador in 2006.

Key terms of the Agreement between the United States and El Salvador will include:

• El Salvador has committed to addressing a wide range of non-tariff barriers affecting trade in priority areas, including streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals for U.S. exports, such as pharmaceutical products and medical devices; removing import restrictions on remanufactured goods; accepting U.S. auto standards; streamlining certificate of free sale requirements, accepting electronic certificates; removing apostille requirements; and expediting product registration requirements for U.S. exports.
• El Salvador also has committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market, including with regard to U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities.
• El Salvador has committed to move forward with certain international intellectual property treaties and provide transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications, while ensuring that market access for U.S. agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese and meat terms.
• El Salvador has recommitted to preventing barriers to services and digital trade with the United States and committed to refrain from imposing discriminatory digital services taxes.  The United States and El Salvador will support a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
• El Salvador has committed to continue facilitating trade, as well as adopting and implementing good regulatory practices.
• El Salvador has reinforced its commitment to protect internationally recognized labor rights.  El Salvador will prohibit the importation of goods produced by forced or compulsory labor.
• El Salvador has committed to adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws.  El Salvador has also committed to take measures to improve forest sector governance and combat illegal logging, strengthen enforcement of its fisheries-related measures, and combat illegal wildlife trade and illegal mining, and work toward accepting the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
• El Salvador has committed to address potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and to address industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship.
• The United States and El Salvador have committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address non-market policies of other countries, as well as addressing duty evasion and cooperating on government procurement, investment security, and export controls.

In the coming weeks, the United States and El Salvador will work to finalize the Agreement, prepare the Agreement for signature, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force.  Given El Salvador’s commitment to take significant steps to advance a stronger and more reciprocal trade relationship, the United States will remove the reciprocal tariffs on El Salvador’s exports to the United States for certain qualifying exports that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities, as well as certain products, such as textiles and apparel products, originating under the CAFTA-DR.  In addition, the United States may positively consider the effect that the Agreement has on national security, including taking the Agreement into consideration when taking trade action under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).  The United States and El Salvador look forward to closing the Agreement soon.

Guatemala Trade Deal – Full Text of Joint Statement

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/11/joint-statement-on-framework-for-united-states-guatemala-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade

JOINT STATEMENT ON FRAMEWORK FOR UNITED STATES-GUATEMALA AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL TRADE

The White House / November 13, 2025

The United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Republic of Guatemala (Guatemala) have agreed to a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) that further strengthens and builds upon our long-standing economic relationship, including the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for the United States and Guatemala in 2006.

Key terms of the Agreement between the United States and Guatemala will include:

• Guatemala has committed to addressing a wide range of non-tariff barriers affecting trade in priority areas, including streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals for U.S. exports including pharmaceutical products and medical devices; removing import restrictions on remanufactured goods; accepting U.S. auto standards; and streamlining certificate of free sale requirements, accepting electronic certificates, removing apostille requirements, and expediting product registration requirements for U.S. exports.
• Guatemala has committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market, including with regard to U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities. Guatemala also committed to maintain science- and risk-based regulatory frameworks and efficient authorization processes for agricultural products.
• Guatemala has committed to a robust standard for intellectual property protection and enforcement, including fully implementing certain international intellectual property treaties and taking steps to resolve many long-standing intellectual property issues identified in the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report. 
• Guatemala has committed to provide transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications, while ensuring that market access will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese and meat terms.
• Guatemala has committed to facilitate digital trade, including by refraining from imposing digital services taxes or other measures that discriminate against U.S. digital services or U.S. products distributed digitally, ensuring the free transfer of data across trusted borders, and supporting a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Guatemala has committed to take effective actions to implement the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation.
• Guatemala has committed to continue facilitating trade, including by following best practices in customs, and adopt and implement good regulatory practices.
• Guatemala has committed to protect internationally recognized labor rights. In furtherance of this commitment, Guatemala will prohibit the importation of goods produced by forced or compulsory labor and strengthen its labor laws and their enforcement.
• Guatemala has committed to adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws. Guatemala has also committed to take measures to improve forest sector governance and combat illegal logging, strengthen enforcement of its fisheries-related measures, combat illegal wildlife trade and illegal mining, and fully implement the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
• Guatemala has committed to address potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and to address industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship.
• Guatemala has committed to strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address non-market policies of other countries, as well as addressing duty evasion and cooperating on investment security and export controls.
• Guatemala has committed to take steps to restrict access to central level procurement covered by its free trade agreement commitments for suppliers from non-free trade agreement partners, permitting exemptions as necessary, in a manner comparable to the United States’ procurement restrictions.

In the coming weeks, the United States and Guatemala will work to finalize the Agreement, prepare the Agreement for signature, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force. Given Guatemala’s commitment to take significant steps to advance a stronger and more reciprocal trade relationship, the United States will remove the reciprocal tariffs on Guatemala’s exports to the United States for certain qualifying exports that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities, as well as certain products, such as textiles and apparel products, originating under the CAFTA-DR. The United States and Guatemala look forward to closing the Agreement soon.