The Ministry of Economy of El Salvador announced on Wednesday that negotiations with the United States to reduce or eliminate tariffs on Salvadoran exports are now in their final stages.
During an interview, Economy Minister María Luisa Hayem stated they have maintained a “very constructive dialogue” with the U.S. office responsible for trade agreements. “We have had very constructive conversations that have progressed quite well, and we are now in the final phases, waiting to define what the tariff treatment for El Salvador will be,” Hayem said.
On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump included El Salvador among 90 countries subject to a 10% tariff on goods. The announcement, labeled the “liberation day,” triggered volatility in global markets, largely due to earlier high tariffs on China. The U.S. and China later reached a temporary truce, followed by a broader trade framework.
The White House initially gave a 90-day reprieve from the tariffs, which was set to expire on July 9. However, the deadline was extended until August 1, after which the tariffs are expected to be reinstated.
Minister Hayem confirmed that the Salvadoran government has formally requested that the 10% tariff not be applied. Although they have not yet received a formal response, she emphasized that the conversations are moving forward “quite well.”