The Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI) has expressed its appreciation to the Government of El Salvador for its diplomatic efforts to reduce the 10% universal tariff currently applied to Salvadoran exports entering the United States.
Jorge Arriaza, president of the ASI, explained that the tariff has a direct impact on pricing. “El Salvador has the universal tariff of 10% that we, like all countries, must pay. Obviously, that represents an increase in the price at which we are sending our various products to the United States,” he stated.
However, Arriaza noted that talks between Salvadoran and U.S. authorities have shown promising signs of progress, potentially leading to a reduction or elimination of the tariff. “The good news is that in the conversations the Government of El Salvador has had with the U.S. government, particularly regarding trade, there are positive prospects that this tariff could, if not be entirely eliminated, at least be significantly reduced on many of our exports,” he added.
He commended the government for its work across various channels to advance this initiative. “It’s worth congratulating the Government for the strong management it is demonstrating through the different agencies it has to achieve the goal of reducing or ideally eliminating the tariff,” he concluded.
The ASI believes that a reduction or removal of the 10% tariff would provide a major boost to the national industry, improving access for Salvadoran products in the U.S. market and strengthening the country’s economy. Arriaza emphasized that the United States will remain the industry’s primary focus in the coming years, with ambitions to double export volumes.