The electoral process in the United States has not stopped the Argentine Government wanting to regain the tariff preferences lost in 2012. The Obama administration cancelled them because of a lack of payments, and they are vital to the country's economy.
The Council for Trade and Investment in the United States and Argentina, which wants the country to return to a state of greater competitiveness, held its first meeting at the Foreign Ministry.
"The next US Government will be in charge of this, so we have focused on that", said Minister Susana Malcorra at the end of the meeting. The presidential elections were also part of the talks, as the Argentinean side is worried that the transition to power, which begins on January 20, might hinder their aspirations to export again.
Argentina and the United States resumed trade talks after a decade. Michael Froman, trade representative for the US Government, arrived in the country and met with Chancellor Susana Malcorra; the Chief of staff, Marcos Peña; the Ministers of production, Francisco Cabrera; Finance, Alfonso Prat Gay, and the Secretary of Commerce, Miguel Braun. Froman said that the US would evaluate including the country again in the generalized system of preferences (GSP).
The Foreign Ministry was optimistic about the announcement made by the US delegation and said they expected lemons, other citrus products, and beef, would soon benefit from these facilities to enter the US market.
The parties agreed to settle possible bilateral conflicts according to the standards of the World Trade Organization, to collaborate in the reduction of the excess capacity in the steel sector (something China is accused of creating), and to help develop agricultural biotechnology. They also agreed to carry out a meeting on innovation and creativity in Buenos Aires, in the first days of December.
Source: mdzol.com