Argentine President Javier Milei expressed his interest in having Argentina be the first country to join the trade reciprocity agreement of the Trump administration. This measure would involve a reduction of tariffs for Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, in order to maintain access to the U.S. market. Despite Milei's intention, uncertainty persists regarding the possible application of tariffs and trade barriers.
Argentina is among the countries most vulnerable to the implementation of reciprocal tariffs, which is exacerbated by the extreme mercantilism proposed by Trump. Globally, Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on products from the European Union, triggering a reaction from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
On the other hand, Maximiliano Gutiérrez, a researcher at Ieral of the Mediterranean Foundation, has pointed out the economic implications of this proposal, warning of possible repercussions on the trade relationship between Argentina and the United States. Although Argentina achieved a trade surplus of USD 230 million with the United States in 2024, this is an isolated case after almost twenty years.
During his speech at CPAC, Milei expressed his desire to establish a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, receiving praise from Trump. Currently, Argentina applies an average tariff of 6.2% on U.S. imports, while the United States imposes 2.5% on Argentine goods.
The situation is complicated by Argentina's membership in Mercosur, which poses significant restrictions. Milei has even hinted at the possibility of a eventual exit from the bloc. The relationship between Milei and Trump will be crucial for the development of these negotiations, especially in a context of tense international trade.
Regarding the trade war with China, the United States continues to impose additional tariffs, to which Beijing has responded with similar measures. Gutiérrez emphasizes that it is essential to closely monitor the evolution of this topic, considering Trump's limitations in negotiating trade agreements without the authorization of the U.S. Congress. According to analysis, the implementation of 'reciprocal tariffs' could result in a 60% reduction in the average tariffs on U.S. imports.
