The United States announced on Thursday that it will lift tariffs on selected foods and other imports from Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador under new framework agreements designed to give U.S. companies greater access to those markets.
A senior Trump administration official said the move is expected to help lower prices on products such as coffee and bananas, adding that the administration expects U.S. retailers to pass those savings on to consumers.
Most of the agreements with the four countries are expected to be finalized within the next two weeks, with more deals potentially coming before year-end. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that “substantial” announcements aimed at lowering the cost of living — including cheaper coffee, bananas and fruits — were imminent.
The State Department also confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira discussed a new U.S.–Brazil trade framework this week. Brazil, the world’s largest coffee exporter, currently faces steep 50% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Trump has repeatedly centered affordability in his messaging following Republican losses in recent elections, blaming high prices on former President Joe Biden rather than his own broad tariffs. Democrats’ recent victories in New Jersey, New York and Virginia highlighted voter frustration over cost-of-living pressures — which economists partly attribute to Trump’s tariffs.
The New York Times reported Thursday that the administration is considering further tariff exemptions on imported foods such as beef and citrus, even from countries without formal trade agreements. The White House has not commented.
The official said the U.S. has held “constructive” trade talks with additional Central and South American nations, and may finalize more agreements this year. Recent discussions with Switzerland and Taiwan were also described as positive.
Officials in Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador welcomed the new framework deals. Under the agreements, a 10% tariff will remain on most goods from Argentina, Guatemala and El Salvador, and a 15% tariff on imports from Ecuador. However, the U.S. will remove tariffs on goods not produced domestically — including bananas and coffee from Ecuador.
Similar to agreements made with Asian countries in October, the new deals include commitments to avoid digital services taxes targeting U.S. companies and to remove tariffs on U.S. agricultural and industrial products.
“With all of these deals, we maintain the tariffs broadly, offer targeted tariff relief, and open foreign markets in ways they’ve never been opened before,” the official said.
Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said the agreement would encourage more U.S. investment, crediting President Javier Milei’s leadership. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reacted to the announcement on X, writing “friends,” while his ambassador in Washington praised strengthened ties.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo called the agreement positive for investment and economic competitiveness. Ecuador’s government also welcomed the move, saying it would boost exports for major local industries including bananas, shrimp and oil.
