In the NAFTA review carried out by the Central American and U.S. authorities, it is ruled out that the U.S. government will apply trade sanctions in retaliation for the deepening of the migration problem.
After the Trump administration pressured Mexico with the threat of increased tariffs on Mexican imports, the region has generated expectations for the planned review of the NAFTA with Central America.
In the view of Fitch Ratings, the likelihood of the trade agreement being renegotiated is low, but the region faces challenges "if US protectionism gains traction over the next few years."
From a statement issued by Fitch Ratings:
Fitch Ratings - New York - (May 16, 2017): While Central America and the Dominican Republic could benefit from the expected economic acceleration in the United States, these countries could also face challenges if US protectionism were to gain traction in the coming years, says Fitch Ratings.
Competing with multinationals under DR-CAFTA requires companies to comply with all the necessary processes to protect their brands, processes and products.
The arrival of multinational companies in Central America competing in legal equality with local or regional firms as a result of DR-CAFTA, highlights gaps in legal implementation and best practices for business on issues such as the protection of trademarks and intellectual property.
A meeting is being convened for the textile and clothing industry on March 16 in El Salvador, where the overall situation in the sector will be discussed.
From a statement issued by Proesa:
El Salvador is preparing for the third edition of the Forum of Textiles and Apparel (FOROTEX) 2016, a space where high-level international speakers present trends and strategies for competing in international markets.
In 2016 scheduled tariff reductions for rice imports begin as part of the DR-CAFTA, posing a threat to local producers.
Nicaraguan rice producers have pointed to the efforts made by the sector to achieve self-sufficiency in supplying the local market, and report that the main competitor unleashed by this tariff reduction is the US which they point out subsidizes rice production.
From January 2016 import tariffs will start to be phased out on chicken, rice and milk from the USA, reaching 0% in 2022 and 2025, under the DR-CAFTA agreement.
In Costa Rica local producers say they have been preparing for this for several years, but the country's loss of competitiveness due to high production costs and lack of action by the government to improve on this might prevent them from competing on equal terms.
Nicaraguan businessmen have proposed that Central America as a whole operates a preferential tariff treatment in the US for imports of textiles in the region.
After trying to negotiate, through several formats, tariff preference levels (TPL), so far unsuccessfully, textile entrepreneurs are now appealing to the union of the region to address the issue with the US once again.
They are supporting Costa Rica in the dispute it has with El Salvador over the lack of respect for the DR -CAFTA and they are requesting action to be taken to end the paralysis of intraregional trade at Salvadoran customs offices.
The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters in Central America (Fecaxca) is proposing that the fee of $18 being charged at customs offices in El Salvador be only imposed on goods which have the country as a final destination, and not everything that passes through Salvadoran territory which may be destined for other Central American countries.
The Ministry of Commerce has launched its "Look South" initiative so that U.S. companies can reap the benefits of the trade agreements that have been signed.
The Central American countries are part of the eleven Latin American economies with which the U.S. has trade agreements in force, and are those which - along with Mexico, with whom already has strong trade ties- because of their geographical position, be of interest to U.S. companies.
Increased prices are predicted along with less variety in drugs and agrochemicals because of the progressive protection of patent rights.
Román Macaya, director of the National Chamber of Generic Producers (Canaproge) explained that at the end of this decade the market will feel an impact on the protection of branded drugs and agrochemicals. The changes will occur due to the agreed extension of rights in the FTA between the U.S., Central America and the Dominican Republic.
The Trans-Pacific agreement being negotiated by the U.S. could authorize Vietnam to get threads from China and export duty-free textiles to the North American nation.
The Ambassador of El Salvador in that country, Ruben Zamora, has already raised concerns with officials from the U.S. trade office (USTR). Zamora affirmed that representatives from textile companies have visited the U.S.
Since the entry into force in 2006 of the DR-CAFTA, the tip in favor of the U.S. in the trade balance has multiplied by 5.
"The Central America to which President Barack Obama is coming to visit on on Friday is a region that maintains multiple communication vessels with the United States, including a growing trade relationship which in 2012 amounted to $40 billion, although very much in favor of the American power," reported Prensa.com.
How insurers are affected by the new regime requiring reports to the U.S. government from foreign financial institutions.
An article in Martesfinanciero.com reports that in Panama, "those involved in the sector are awaiting the outcome of an agreement between Panama and the U.S., so as to 'adhere to a regulation that has not been signed yet", says Dino Mon, vice president of Mapfre Panama. "
The amendment relates to technical details regarding the rules of origin related to spandex or lycra fabrics, thread, and pajama pants.
A package containing technical changes to the rules of origin for textiles was ratified by the House of Representatives of the United States.
According to an article in Prensalibre.com Alejandro Ceballos, a member of the board of the Committee on Textiles and Clothing (Vestex) of Guatemala, said: "Spandex used in garments used to have to be native to the region, but this has now been relaxed and it can be obtained from other countries so as to make the article of clothing here."
Aggressive measures must be taken in marketing and attracting investment in order to exploit the possibilities opened by the DR-CAFTA and changes in the global market.
From Diario de Centro América:
The CAFTA-DR region has opportunities for growth
The clothing and textile sector of the country is ready to compete globally.
Opportunities in the region provided by the Free Trade Agreement between Central America, Dominican Republic and the U.S.