Costa Rica and Guatemala ask US to lift proposed tariffs

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex) submitted a letter to the U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative asking that the administration’s proposed tariffs be excluded for Costa Rican products under the U.S.–Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA‑DR). Minister Indiana Trejos argued that “additional tariffs on several of these products could raise costs for U.S. companies and consumers, disrupting regional supply chains,” noting that many Costa Rican exports complement U.S. manufacturing and fill agricultural gaps.

Guatemala’s export association, Agexport, has also urged the USTR to revert a 10% duty on Guatemalan goods to a zero‑tariff rate. The group contended that the tariff hampers U.S. competitiveness and that Guatemalan fruits, vegetables and aquaculture products help maintain year‑round food security and strengthen regional supply chains aligned with the “America First” policy. As Agexport’s Claudia de Del Águila stated, “when Guatemala exports, employment, food security and U.S. competitiveness are also strengthened.” Both requests seek to preserve the benefits of CAFTA‑DR and avoid higher costs for U.S. markets.