El Salvador and Guatemala Get IEEPA Deals

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Feb. 1, 2026
By: Marvin E. McPherson

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) signed separate Agreements on Reciprocal Trade with El Salvador and Guatemala. Both deals further the preferences established under the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

U.S.–El Salvador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Under the agreement, the United States applies revised reciprocal tariff treatment to originating goods of El Salvador in accordance with agreed tariff schedules. El Salvador, in turn, commits to ensuring that there are no unnecessary obstacles to trade between the two countries and trade is administered in a transparent and predictable manner.

The agreement provides that El Salvador shall not maintain non-automatic import licensing requirements except where necessary to achieve legitimate public policy objectives. It further affirms that technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures shall be based on international standards where they exist and shall not be applied in a manner that accords less favorable treatment to U.S. goods.

Furthermore, El Salvador commits to providing non-discriminatory market access for U.S. agricultural products and to administering sanitary and phytosanitary measures in a science-based and risk-based manner. The agreement also reflects commitments concerning the use of common food names, and the participation in assisting the U.S. in national security measures under export control.

U.S.–Guatemala Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Under the agreement with Guatemala, the parties reaffirm their commitment to reciprocal trade and to eliminating measures that restrict trade in goods without sufficient justification. Guatemala commits to streamlining regulatory requirements and approval procedures affecting imported goods from the U.S, including through greater reliance on international standards and recognition of U.S. regulatory determinations. The fact sheet emphasis that Guatemala commits to accepting U.S. motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; and FDA certificates among other U.S standards.

The current schedule provides for 0% tariffs on most pharma, agricultural, and aircraft goods; as well as other items listed in the tariff schedule.

Barnes, Richardson & Colburn attorneys are here to help your company benefit and maintain compliance current and future trade deals. Assuming they survive a Supreme Court decision.