US-Guatemala trade deal eliminates tariffs and boosts access for American agricultural goods
The United States and Guatemala have finally signed a reciprocal trade deal. The parties were represented by US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer and the Guatemalan Minister of Economy, Adriana Gabriela Garcia.
The announcement was made on January 30 by the Office of the USTR.
There’s still no clarity on when the trade deal will take full effect. The specifications provide for a 30-day waiting period that will begin either after the date on which both countries provide notice of the finalized agreement or on a date set by both parties.
In the ceremony, Greer said the trade deal strengthens strategic economic ties in the Western Hemisphere and addresses trade barriers facing American workers and producers.
“This agreement builds on our long-standing trade relationship and shared interest in reinforcing regional supply chains,” said Greer.
The United States and Guatemala had previously entered a framework agreement to negotiate the details of this final trade deal.
Under the Agreement, the United States and Guatemala intend to “strategically align their trade and investment policies to further their shared economic and national security objectives.”
“When the United States imposes a customs duty, quota, prohibition, fee, charge or other import restriction on a good or service of a third country pursuant to relevant domestic law and considers that the measure is relevant to protecting its economic or national security against non-market policies and practices of a third country, Guatemala shall regulate, consistent with Guatemala’s laws and regulations, the importation of that good or service into its territory through measures with equivalent effect as those of the United States,” the agreement reads.
The countries will discuss such measures in a recently formed bilateral working group.
Details of the US-Guatemala trade deal
The formal trade agreement between the US and Guatemala builds on the framework signed by the two countries in November of 2025.
The document includes the elimination of reciprocal tariffs on certain originating goods from Guatemala that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities.
The Caribbean country will provide non-discriminatory or preferential market access for US agricultural goods, including not restricting market access to American goods, “due to the mere use of the individual cheese and meat terms” such as “American,” “asiago,” or “blue.”
Guatemala has also agreed to adopt a robust standard for intellectual property protection and enforcement, including full implementation of certain international intellectual property treaties.
The document outlines Guatemala’s protection of internationally recognized labor rights and environmental laws, as well as its commitment to not imposing taxes on digital services that discriminate against US companies.
*Main and first images courtesy of the USTR.
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