Milei's government managed to maintain a tariff rate much lower than what it theoretically should have had
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The president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order last night imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on dozens of countries, a measure that will take effect within a week. The decision is part of a trade strategy promoted by the White House to balance US trade with the rest of the world.
However, amid the wave of tariff increases, Argentina received preferential treatment thanks to the good personal and political relationship between Trump and President Javier Milei. Meanwhile, sources from Milei's government revealed that the libertarian administration is still negotiating a trade agreement with the United States to achieve an even greater reduction in tariffs.
Specifically, while nearly 40 countries will pay a new base tariff of 15% for having a trade surplus with the US, Argentina, despite also having a surplus with the United States, managed to maintain 10% for most of its exports, which represents a direct political gesture from Trump to Milei.
Javier Milei y Donald Trump.
Officials in Washington explained that the 10% tariff will apply to goods from countries to which the United States exports more than it imports. In Argentina's case, the country exported more than it imported in 2024 and also so far in 2025, so, in theory, it should have been subject to the 15% tariff. However, the White House made an exception.
In Buenos Aires, foreign trade officials stated that negotiations are ongoing, although they welcomed the possibility that Argentine products will maintain lower tariffs compared to neighbors such as Brazil, which will face an increase of up to 50%.
Javier Milei y Donald Trump.
More than a dozen countries, meanwhile, will face tariffs above 15%, either due to outdated trade agreements or significant imbalances in their relations with the US. In India's case, for example, Trump argued that there are geopolitical challenges with the BRICS group and divergent positions regarding Russia, which makes immediate rapprochement impossible.
Meanwhile, regarding China, the US president clarified that no final decision has been made yet, although a firm stance is expected in the coming weeks.
