The Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT) recognizes and values the efforts made by the Government of Guatemala in the recent signing of the reciprocal agreement and in the reduction of tariffs with the United States. This progress represents an important step toward strengthening bilateral relations with one of the country's strategic partners for commercial development.
However, the failure to include a significant percentage of agricultural exports—such as non-traditional vegetables and fruits—as well as aquaculture products and certain manufactured goods, which continue to face a 10% tariff, creates conditions that affect the country's competitiveness. This situation puts thousands of jobs and new investments at risk and places Guatemala at a disadvantage compared to direct competitors, such as Mexico, which has 0% tariff access.
For agricultural, aquaculture, and certain manufacturing producers and exporters, continuing to absorb a 10% tariff in a context of high transportation, logistics, port services, labor, and input costs is not viable. If these conditions persist, complex decisions will have to be made, such as accelerated mechanization processes, investment pauses, growth limitations, or the transfer of operations to other countries in the region.
For these reasons, AGEXPORT calls on the Government of Guatemala to:
• Manage a second phase of negotiations to achieve a 0% tariff for agricultural and manufactured goods that were left out in the first stage.
• Implement the Framework Agenda for Competitiveness in the Export Sector, with an emphasis on infrastructure, productivity, and automation of procedures.
• Develop and implement a Country Strategy for Agricultural Development.
AGEXPORT reiterates its willingness to join forces and collaborate in a technical and constructive manner with the authorities in everything that contributes to strengthening and restoring the competitiveness of Guatemalan agriculture, aquaculture, and manufacturing.
