Posted on 04/04/2025 3:52:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Argentine President Javier Milei said during a Conservative event in Florida that his country was negotiating with Donald Trump's administration a zero-tariff deal on approximately 50 export products, aiming for a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) shortly. Milei's remarks came after the Republican leader slapped a 10% tariff on all Argentine goods as part of a broader protectionist policy.
Speaking at the American Patriots Gala hosted by conservative groups Make America Clean Again and We Fund the Blue at Mar-a-Lago, where he received the “Lion of Liberty Award” for his commitment to freedom and free-market values, Milei outlined plans to adjust Argentine regulations to meet US reciprocity demands. Joining the Libertarian leader were Ministers Luis Toto Caputo (Economy) and Gerardo Werthein (Foreign Affairs).
Milei highlighted progress in resolving trade barriers, noting that five of eight initial issues have been addressed, with further steps pending. The negotiations aim to enhance trade flow for key exports, which represent 80% of Argentina’s sales to the U.S., without disrupting ties with Mercosur.
The South American head of State also emphasized his goal of making Argentina the “freest economy in the world” and touted his administration’s economic achievements, reportedly including 6% growth and lifting 20% of the population out of poverty since December 2023.
“For all these objectives and measures, the whole of politics, the media, the unions and many businessmen accommodated by the previous regime repeated over and over again that it was impossible to function,” the Argentine President stressed.
“Our reform agenda continues because our goal is to be the freest country in the world,” he insisted.
“Argentina is going to move forward in readjusting the regulations so that they comply with the requirements of the reciprocal tariff proposals drafted by President Donald Trump,” Milei also mentioned.
The announcement comes amid anticipation of a potential meeting with Trump, which could influence Argentina’s ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where Washington carries significant sway.
Milei is awesome!!! What items do we get from Argentina?
The United States imports a variety of goods from Argentina. Some of the key imports include ( this from ChatGPT ):
Mineral fuels and oils: A significant portion of imports, valued at around $1.8 billion in 2024.
Precious stones and metals: Including pearls, with imports worth approximately $802 million.
Organic chemicals: Valued at $742 million.
Agricultural products: Such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks ($403 million), animal and vegetable fats and oils ($365 million), and edible fruits and nuts ($254 million).
Meat and meat products: Including beef, valued at $227 million.
Beverages: Such as wine and spirits, worth $223 million.
Aluminum: Around $515 million.
These imports reflect Argentina’s strengths in agriculture, natural resources, and certain industrial goods
Crude oil, metals and chemicals. But we actually have a trade surplus with Argentina.
Yes
dulce de leche
ADIOS SUCKERS!
No tariffs on imports of chainsaws from Argentina!
To be fair, nobody likes being forced into this. Taking the smart way out and making reciprocal deals, is still taking the smart way out and their best (and only) option.
The countries that make deals will get over any economic disruption first, cut losses and get gains before countries who want trade wars. Long term, this will strengthen their economies and relative standing internationally.
The leaders of Argentina, Vietnam, and Israel all want to cut deals. Smart.
Argentina and Vietnam have been under tariffs - rightfully so - for dumping Honey into the American market at below production cost. Those should stay.
I will buy more Malbec from Argentina. My favorite full bodied red wine.
I was hoping for this. I want to see Argentina and the U.S. become stronger trading partners.
Wouldn’t it be wild if there were a stampede to cut deals with Trump resulting in an overall decrease in tariffs.
The preliminary response to the tariffs is clear. US needs to adopt an ABC trade policy.
Anyone but China.
BTT
I don’t know much about this topic, the production of honey, but it seems this is the crux of trade imbalance problems. Your opinion is we should keep tariffs on this product, due to dumping. But, is it dumping to simply have a competitive advantage? What does the US have a competitive advantage in that could negatively affect Vietnam and Argentina? I’m sure there’s some. Should those tariffs stay too? The lists could go on, product by product, until we’re right back where we started. If our team can’t produce honey at a competitive rate- too bad. I don’t see honey as a national security problem. Zero Tariffs. Not calling you out- just pointing out that exceptions could go on forever and we’re back at the starting line again.
No, they were dumping at below their own cost of production - massively. Argentina, Brazil, India, Vietnam, and Ukraine (who was then exempted due to the war). Not a competitive advantage, an anti-competitive advantage.
If they produced an automobile that cost them $30k to manufacture, and they sold it in the USA for $15k, that would be a problem, yes? Same thing.
Honey itself isn’t a national security problem, but honeybees are - and honey production is part of that. They contribute $15 billion to agriculture yields. Almonds, apples, cranberries, melons, broccoli, etc (90-130 different crops) all depend on commercial pollination.
Domestic Food security is national security.
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