The national Government decided to extend for three months the elimination of export duties for aluminum, steel, and derivative products destined for countries that apply import tariffs equal to or higher than 45%. The measure, which will now be in force until March 31, 2026, was made official this Wednesday through decree 930/2025, published in the Official Gazette.
The decision modifies the original deadline set last October, which was due to expire on December 31 of this year, and is part of the Executive's strategy to preserve the competitiveness of industrial sectors considered strategic. These are productive branches with a high weight in employment, export volume, and value-added generation, which have been affected by strong trade barriers in external markets.
The exemption had initially been established by decree 726/2025, which set the export duty rate at zero for a series of products included in the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM). The benefit applies exclusively to exports directed to countries that, at the time the regulation entered into force, impose "ad valorem" tariffs equal to or higher than 45% on these goods.
In the recitals of the new decree, the Executive emphasizes that the trade protection policies adopted by some countries constitute a direct obstacle to Argentine exports. Faced with this scenario, the temporary elimination of export duties appears as a tool to mitigate the negative impact of external protectionism and to avoid a loss of competitiveness that could end up affecting production and employment.
