On Thursday, February 5th, the United States Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) announced that the United States had reached a new trade and investment agreement with Argentina. Argentina agreed to grant the United States preferential market access for goods, eliminate digital trade barriers, and strengthen bilateral economic and national security cooperation.
The two parties signed the “United States-Argentina Reciprocal Trade and Investment Agreement” (ARTI), jointly signed by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Religious Affairs, Pablo Quirno. The agreement provides more detailed implementation of the framework agreement reached on November 13, 2025.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office stated that the agreement will reduce or eliminate tariffs on many U.S. goods, including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, chemicals, machinery, automobiles, information technology products, and various U.S. agricultural products. Regarding agriculture, Argentina has committed to opening its poultry product market to the U.S. within a year and simplifying customs procedures for U.S. beef and pork exporters.
According to the document, Argentina has also agreed not to restrict U.S. exporters from using certain cheese names such as asiago, feta, or camembert, which the EU designates as geographical indications reserved for their production regions.
The U.S. side in the agreement emphasized that it will enhance cooperation between the U.S. and Argentina to combat unfair trade practices by third countries. Regarding critical minerals, Argentina pledged to prioritize exporting copper, lithium, and other minerals to the United States, rather than “economies or enterprises that manipulate markets”, though the document does not explicitly name these countries, it clearly indicates China.
The agreement also requires strengthening export controls for dual-use sensitive items and ensuring the security of telecommunications infrastructure.
Ambassador Greer commented on the agreement, stating, “The deepening partnership between President Trump and President Milei has set a model for advancing common goals and maintaining economic security in the Americas. The U.S.-Argentina agreement reduces longstanding trade barriers and provides important market access for U.S. exporters in various sectors. I thank Minister Quirno of Argentina for his dedication to building a stronger and more balanced partnership.”
Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that the U.S. agreed to cancel over 1600 retaliatory tariffs on Argentine products, while the Milei government will terminate over 220 tariffs on U.S. goods.
On February 5th, Minister Quirno published several posts on social media platform X about the agreement, “The agreement we signed with the U.S. clearly demonstrates to the world that we are reliable partners, open to trade, committed to adhering to clear rules, ensuring the predictability of trade, and engaging in strategic cooperation.” He added, “For the people of Argentina, this is a historic day,” calling the agreement a “great achievement” for both countries.
Last October, the U.S. Treasury Department initiated a $20 billion currency swap program to help stabilize the collapsing peso exchange rate in Argentina, securing victory for his party in parliamentary elections. Trump praised the election victory as contributing to Argentina’s economic recovery.
However, on February 5th, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, chairwoman of the Senate Banking Committee, called for the Treasury Secretary to end this “temporary” exchange program.