In a strong political gesture toward President Javier Milei, United States President Donald Trump has reportedly decided to exempt a list of 100 Argentine products from tariffs, as part of a global redefinition of his trade policy.
If implemented, the agreement would position Argentina outside the tariff war that the United States keeps with more than 170 countries, just days before the deadline to define the new import structure for the U.S. market closes.
A confidential agreement between Milei and Trump
According to official sources in Washington and Buenos Aires confirmed to Infobae, the bilateral pact has been quietly in the works for three months, under the signing of confidentiality agreements (NDA) that prevent negotiators from disclosing details. Officials from the Department of Commerce, the State Department, and the USTR for the U.S. are participating, along with the Ministry of Economy and the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
Alianza comercial: Estados Unidos aplicaría aranceles cero a 100 productos argentinos
The strategy of keeping the agreement confidential seeks to prevent other countries from demanding the same benefits, just as Trump is redefining his trade policy with major players such as China, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, whose agreements also remain secret.
Zero tariffs for key Argentine exports
Argentina would benefit from zero tariffs for an estimated set of 100 products, which would cover between 70% and 80% of the total currently exported to the United States. The benefit would exclude only steel and aluminum, which will continue to be subject to a 50% tariff, since Trump considers them strategic for national security.
In 2024, Argentina exported US$630 million in those two inputs, so the impact is not minor, but the Foreign Ministry acknowledged that there was no room to negotiate them.
Milei and Trump: ideological alliance with economic results
The good rapport between Javier Milei and Donald Trump was key to unlocking this trade understanding. Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein held two key meetings with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and according to diplomatic sources, there is direct and fluid communication between them.
Alianza comercial: Estados Unidos aplicaría aranceles cero a 100 productos argentinos
At the White House, officials state that, thanks to that privileged channel, Argentina managed to "avoid" the new general tariff policy of a minimum 10% for imports announced by Trump, which would begin to apply from August 1, except for countries that accept his conditions or sign specific agreements.
Timing and form of the announcement
Although the U.S. president had said that he would send letters with tariff conditions to more than 100 countries before July 9, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the deadline was extended until August 1. Argentina, however, would avoid that process: the agreement with Trump would be announced in a differentiated and joint manner in the coming days.
The expectation is that the bilateral statement will be released within the next 72 hours, after the technical and diplomatic details being negotiated between Buenos Aires and Washington are finalized.
