Tariff Roundup: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala
Our latest Tariff Roundup looks at recent developments in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala. These updates highlight changes in tariff structures alongside broader trade measures, such as reciprocal tariff adjustments, commitments on digital services taxation, and reforms to market access and intellectual property.
All updates are reported from the IBFD Newsroom. Follow along for the latest developments on tariff measures and trade policy by visiting IBFD's International Guide on Global Trade (subscribers only).
US to Impose 15% Tariff on Swiss and Liechtenstein Goods Under New Trade Framework
The United States will impose a 15% tariff on most goods imported from Switzerland and Liechtenstein under a newly announced Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade. The framework also includes commitments by Switzerland and Liechtenstein to eliminate a wide range of tariffs on US exports, expand market access for American producers, and refrain from imposing digital services taxes.
The White House published a joint statement from the three countries, as well as a Fact Sheet on 14 November 2025.
Tariffs
Switzerland and Liechtenstein intend to remove a range of tariffs across agriculture and industrial sectors, including nuts, fish and seafood, certain fruits, chemicals, and spirits. Switzerland will establish tariff rate quotas for US poultry, beef, and bison.
Digital Trade
The countries have committed to a "robust set of digital trade principles, including refraining from harmful digital services taxes."
Investment
Companies from Switzerland and Liechtenstein will invest at least USD 200 billion into the United States; at least USD 67 billion will be invested in 2026. Companies will also use "Registered Apprenticeships" and other training programs for US workers.
Intellectual Property
The countries will negotiate robust commitments related to intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement, including transparent and fair treatment of geographical indications.
Non-Tariff Barriers
Switzerland and Liechtenstein intend to address a range of non-tariff barriers. These include:
- addressing restrictive measures on U.S. poultry and streamlining requirements for US dairy products;
- opening markets for US medical devices;
- streamlining customs processes to facilitate entry of US goods;
- addressing forced labor in their supply chains and increase cooperation on labor-related trade issues;
- adopting and maintaining high levels of environmental protection and discussing commitments related to other environmental measures;
- enhancing cooperation on the identification and alignment of international standards to reduce barriers for US exports;
- recognizing US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
- strengthening supply chain resilience by addressing non-market policies of third countries;
- ensuring greater reciprocal benefits for US products and services in government procurement; and
- expanding cooperation on export controls, sanctions, and investment screening.
The three countries will finalize negotiations for the agreement in early 2026.
US–Argentina Trade Framework to Maintain 10% Tariff on Argentine Goods, Slashes Duties on Key US Exports
The United States and Argentina have reached an agreement on a trade framework that will maintain a 10% tariff on most goods from Argentina, but remove tariffs on specific goods, increase market access for US agricultural goods and vehicles, and enhance protections for digital trade. In a provision likely aimed at China, Argentina will also help to "combat non-market policies and practices of other countries." The countries are still working to finalize the agreement.
The key elements of the Joint Statement on Framework for a United States-Argentina Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment include:
Tariff Reduction
Argentina will provide preferential market access for US goods, including "certain medicines, chemicals, machinery, information technologies products, medical devices, motor vehicles, and a wide range of agricultural products." The United States will maintain its 10% reciprocal tariffs, but remove tariffs on "certain unavailable natural resources and non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications."
Agricultural Market Access
The countries have committed to improving trade and market access for US beef and poultry. Argentina will also not restrict market access for products that use certain cheese and meat terms. The countries will also continue to address non-tariff barriers in food and agricultural trade, such as product registration. The countries also agreed to work toward stabilizing the global soybean trade.
Digital Trade
In digital trade, Argentina committed to recognizing the United States as an adequate jurisdiction for the cross-border transfer of data and will refrain from discrimination against US digital services or digital products. Argentina also intends to recognize electronic signatures that are valid under US law.
International Standards
Argentina will allow entry of US goods that comply with applicable US or international standards, US technical regulations, or US or international conformity assessment procedures.
Other Issues
In addition to the above, Argentina will:
- accept imports of US vehicles manufactured in the United States that conform to US vehicle safety and emissions standards;
- accept US Food and Drug Administration certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceuticals;
- continue to eliminate non-tariff barriers that affect trade in priority areas;
- not require consular formalities for US exports to Argentina and phase out the statistical tax for US goods;
- work towards aligning its intellectual property regime with international standards;
- strengthen enforcement of labor laws, reaffirm its commitment to internationally recognized labor rights, and prohibit imports made by forced labor;
- combat illegal logging and "encourage a more resource efficient economy, including in the critical minerals sector";
- implement the obligations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and
- address potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and to address industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship.
The United States and Argentina also agreed to:
- cooperate to facilitate investment and trade in critical minerals;
- combat non-market policies and practices of other countries; and
- align approaches to export controls, investment security, duty evasion, and other important topics.
US–Guatemala Trade Framework to Preserve 10% Tariff, Ban Digital Services Taxes
The United States and Guatemala have reached an agreement on a trade framework that will maintain a 10% tariff on most Guatemalan goods, prohibit discriminatory digital services taxes on US digital products, reduce non-tariff barriers, and increase market access for US agricultural goods. It will also address the "non-market policies of other countries."
The key elements of the Joint Statement on Framework for a United States-Guatemala Agreement on Reciprocal Trade include:
Digital Services
Guatemala will not impose digital services taxes or other measures that discriminate against US digital services or US digital products. It will also support a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Non-Tariff Barriers for Pharmaceuticals and Autos
Guatemala will address non-tariff barriers, including regulatory requirements and approvals for US pharmaceutical products and medical devices. It will remove import restrictions on remanufactured goods, accept US auto standards, and expedite product registration for US exports.
Agricultural Market Access
Guatemala will "address and prevent barriers" to US agricultural products in its market. This includes acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by US regulatory authorities. Guatemala will also maintain "science- and risk-based regulatory frameworks" as well as "efficient authorization processes" for agricultural imports.
Intellectual Property
Guatemala will fully implement certain international intellectual property treaties and take steps to resolve many intellectual property issues identified by the United States.
Other Issues
In addition to the above, Guatemala will:
- provide "transparency and fairness" on geographical indications;
- implement the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation;
- follow "best practices" in customs and adopt and implement good regulatory practices;
- uphold internationally recognized labor rights and prohibit imports made by forced labor;
- protect the environment by improving forest sector governance, combatting illegal logging, and implementing the obligations of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies;
- address potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship;
- strengthen economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation by addressing non-market policies of other countries, addressing duty evasion, and cooperating on investment security and export controls;
- restrict access of non-free trade agreement partners to central level procurement covered by its free trade agreements; and
- permit necessary exemptions "in a manner comparable to US procurement restrictions."
United States Preserves 10% Tariff, El Salvador Commits to Digital Tax Ban and Market Access
The United States and El Salvador have reached a Framework for Reciprocal Trade that maintains a 10% tariff on most Salvadoran goods, while removing tariffs on select goods. In return, El Salvador will reduce non-tariff barriers, expand market access for US agricultural exports, and commit not to impose discriminatory digital service taxes on US companies.
The key elements of the Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade include:
Digital Services
El Salvador will not impose digital services taxes. It will also support a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
Non-Tariff Barriers for Pharmaceuticals and Autos
El Salvador will address a range of non-tariff barriers, including regulatory requirements and approvals for US pharmaceutical products and medical devices. El Salvador's other commitments include removing import restrictions on manufactured goods, accepting US auto standards, and expediting product registration for US exports.
Agricultural Market Access
El Salvador will "address and prevent barriers" to US agricultural products in its market. This includes acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by US regulatory authorities.
El Salvador will also ensure that market access for US agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the use of certain cheese and meat terms.
Intellectual Property
El Salvador will move forward with certain international intellectual property treaties.
In addition to the above, El Salvador has committed to:
- providing "transparency and fairness" on geographical indications;
- facilitating trade and will adopt and implement good regulatory practices;
- upholding internationally recognized labor rights and prohibiting imports made by forced labor;
- enhancing environmental protections by improving forest sector governance, combatting illegal logging, strengthening enforcement of its fisheries-related measures, combating illegal wildlife trade and illegal mining, and working toward accepting the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies;
- addressing potential distortionary actions of state-owned enterprises and industrial subsidies that may have an impact on the bilateral trading relationship; and
- strengthening economic and national security cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation.
United States Maintains 15% Tariffs, Ecuador Commits to Digital Tax Ban and Tariff Reductions under Trade Framework
The United States and Ecuador have reached an agreement on a trade framework that maintains a 15% tariff on most Ecuadorian goods while removing tariffs on select items. In return, Ecuador will reduce or eliminate tariffs on US exports in key sectors. The framework also includes a commitment from Ecuador not to impose discriminatory digital service taxes on US companies.
The United States and Ecuador issued a joint statement on 13 November 2024, outlining the key elements of the Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
Tariffs
The United States will remove its reciprocal tariffs on certain exports from Ecuador that cannot be sufficiently grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States.
Ecuador will reduce or eliminate tariffs on US imports in key sectors, including machinery, health products, information and communications goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, and certain agricultural products. Ecuador will also establish tariff-rate quotas on other agricultural goods.
Digital Services Trade
Ecuador will not impose digital service taxes that discriminate against US companies. It will also support adoption of a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Agricultural Market Access
Ecuador is reforming its import licensing and facility registration systems for food and agricultural products. The country has committed to ensuring that market access will not be restricted due to the use of certain cheese and meat terms.
Intellectual Property
Ecuador has committed to ensure transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications and to address issues identified by the United States. The United States and Ecuador will continue to finalize commitments on international intellectual property treaties.
Other Issues
In addition to the above, Ecuador has committed to the following measures:
- refraining from introducing new discriminatory barriers to services and removing existing barriers, particularly in advertising services;
- advancing trade facilitation by eliminating pre-shipment inspection mandates and establishing contingency plans for its Single Window;
- expanding its Authorized Economic Operator program to include express delivery carriers within 3 months;
- upholding internationally recognized labor rights and strengthening enforcement of its labor laws;
- prohibiting the importation of goods produced using forced labor;
- enhancing environmental protections by improving forest sector governance, combatting illegal logging, and implementing the obligations of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and addressing illegal wildlife trade; and
- strengthening economic and national security cooperation, while enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation.