U.S.-Argentina Reciprocal Trade and Investment Framework

Argentina and the United States recently entered into a Framework for Reciprocal Trade and Investment, as announced on November 13, 2025. This Framework reflects a renewed effort by both governments to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and establish a predictable, rules-based foundation for trade and investment between the two countries.

The new Framework Agreement aims to promote long-term economic growth and expand opportunities for both U.S. and Argentine businesses through greater market access, reduction of trade barriers, and enhanced protection for investments and intellectual property.

Key elements of the deal will include:

• Tariffs: The Framework enhances market access for key goods in both countries. Argentina will provide preferential access for a broad range of U.S. exports, while the United States will remove tariffs on certain natural resources and pharmaceutical inputs not produced domestically. It also envisions improved conditions for bilateral beef trade and notes potential national security considerations under Section 232.

• Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers: Argentina has removed import licensing requirements and will eliminate additional obstacles, including the statistical tax on U.S. goods and consular formalities for U.S. exports, streamlining the import process.

• Standards and Conformity Assessment: Argentina will align its technical and safety standards with U.S. and international benchmarks. Products that already meet U.S. standards—such as vehicles, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals—will be accepted without additional testing or certification.

• Intellectual Property: Argentina is reinforcing protection of intellectual property rights through stronger enforcement and modernization of its legal framework. Reforms include tackling counterfeiting, streamlining patent procedures, and improving protection for geographical indications, in line with global standards.

• Agricultural Market Access: Argentina will allow imports of U.S. live cattle and poultry, simplify registration procedures for beef, pork, and dairy products, and avoid restrictions based on certain product denominations. Both countries will also cooperate to reduce non-tariff barriers affecting food and agricultural trade.

• Labor: Argentina reaffirmed its commitment to internationally recognized labor rights. It will also adopt a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced or compulsory labor and strengthen enforcement of its labor laws to ensure effective compliance.

• Economic Security Alignment: Argentina and the U.S. will collaborate to counter non-market practices by third countries and coordinate on export controls, investment security, and customs enforcement against duty evasion.

• Commercial Considerations and Opportunities: The Framework encourages joint investment in critical minerals and collaboration to stabilize the global soybean trade, which is a key sector for both economies.

• Confronting State-Owned Enterprises and Subsidies: Argentina committed to ensuring transparency and minimizing distortionary effects of subsidies and state-owned enterprises on trade and investment relations.

• Digital Trade: Argentina committed to facilitating digital trade with the United States. It will recognize the United States as an adequate jurisdiction for data transfers, avoid discriminatory treatment of U.S. digital services and products, and accept electronic signatures valid under U.S. law as legally valid in Argentina.