Historic Agreement Signed
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Argentina (AmCham) has unveiled the specifics of the Reciprocal Trade and Investment Agreement between the Argentine Republic and the United States. This landmark accord, formally signed on February 5, 2026, by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Argentina's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship Pablo Quirno, aims to deepen bilateral cooperation and foster economic growth. AmCham's detailed statement, released on February 13, 2026, highlights the economic and regulatory scope of the understanding, emphasizing bilateral trade, tariff measures, and regulatory alignment.
Significant Tariff Reductions and Export Growth
A core component of the agreement involves substantial tariff reductions designed to expand market access for both nations. For Argentina, the United States will eliminate reciprocal tariffs on 1,675 products, a move estimated to generate an additional US$1.013 billion in exports. Furthermore, the quota for Argentine beef exports to the U.S. market will be expanded, with an additional potential estimated at up to US$800 million. This brings the total estimated export impact for Argentina to exceed US$1.8 billion. In return, Argentina will eliminate tariffs on 221 tariff lines for U.S. goods and reduce tariffs to 2% on an additional 20 lines, providing preferential access for products including medicines, chemicals, machinery, IT products, medical devices, vehicles, and agricultural goods.
Regulatory Alignment and Non-Tariff Barrier Elimination
The agreement also focuses on regulatory convergence and the removal of non-tariff barriers. AmCham noted that the pact establishes a strategic framework for aligning Argentine regulations with international standards across various domains, including trade, investment, intellectual property, digital commerce, economic security, and customs facilitation. This alignment is expected to enhance predictability and legal certainty, crucial for attracting long-term investment. Key non-tariff provisions include Argentina's commitment to:
- Remove import licensing requirements for U.S. exports.
- Eliminate consular formalities for U.S. exports.
- Phase out the statistical tax on U.S. goods.
- Ensure robust intellectual property protection, including criminal sanctions and customs controls, and commit to ratify international treaties like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
- Not impose customs duties on electronic transmissions or digital services taxes that discriminate against U.S. companies.
Impact on Strategic Sectors and Future Cooperation
The agreement is set to bolster trade in several strategic sectors. It includes provisions for improved bilateral market access for beef, dairy, and poultry products, with Argentina committing to open its market to U.S. poultry within a year and simplify regulatory requirements for U.S. beef and pork. The deal also emphasizes cooperation in critical minerals, energy, and technology, with Argentina agreeing to prioritize U.S. partnerships in these areas. Furthermore, the agreement includes commitments regarding the use of secure communication technology suppliers, addressing cybersecurity in aviation, and ensuring that space installations operated by other countries are exclusively for civilian use.
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