Arguing that the unusual growth in sugar imports is harming local production, the Alvarado administration decided to raise the tariff on products entering Costa Rica from 45% to 73% for a three-year period.
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) concluded the investigation requested by the Agricultural Industrial League of Sugar Cane (LAICA) and 4 mills, on the safeguard measure against imports of solid state, granulated sugar, known as white sugar, used for domestic and industrial consumption, justifying a deterioration in the main economic indicators of the National Production Branch (RPN), details an official statement dated June 15.
The new excise tariff that will apply from January 1st, 2018 contemplates a reduction of import tariffs on fruits such as plums, oranges and peaches from Chile.
The new import tariffs published by the Ministry of Economy will be effective as of January 1, 2018.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...Agricultural products saw a reduction of 1.5% in their tax (they went from 3% to 1.5%). "
Not fearing free trade, lowering tariffs and facilitating business development are some of the ingredients the Chilean export model that Central America could follow.
In an interview with Elfinancierocr.com, ProChile's director, Roberto Paiva, explained that one of the main reasons behind the success of his country's foreign trade model is the high degree of trade liberalization.Not only for having reduced tariffs, but also for"... 'having negotiated trade agreements. We have agreements with Europe and much of Asia. We don't yet have Africa.This opening not only lowers tariffs but brings us closer to the market and the business'. "
The free trade agreement with Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland will grant free access to these countries for 77% of primary agricultural products and those processed in Guatemala.
The entry into force of the FTA now depends on the approval of Congress and subsequent ratification by the Executive.
Dca.gob.gt specifies that "... the EFTA grants free access to 77% of primary and processed agricultural products from Guatemala, 10% of goods will have tariff preferences and 13% are excluded ... Guatemala meanwhile granted free access to 43.8 percent of primary and processed agricultural products, an additional 29 percent were liberalized in periods of 5 to 10 years, 0.8 percent will enjoy tariff preferences and 0.2 percent on a tariff quota to Switzerland, excluding 26.1 percent of articles.... ".
The elimination of tariffs on agricultural products and flexible rules of origin for products such as tuna, textiles and plastics are part of the changes incorporated in the Agreement.
The Minister of Economy, Sergio de la Torre said that in the next few years Guatemala's exports to Europe could be doubled, as has happened with the other trade agreements that the Central American nation has signed.
The term of the decree allowing the border areas of Mexico to import goods at a significantly lower charge than in the rest of the country has been extended for three years.
According to the Mexican Finance Minister, Luis Videgaray, the decree was scheduled to end on Decemnber31 December, however, the term has been extended for another three years.
Another decision taken by the Mexican government is to close customs checkpoints on the border areas. "We will start gradually, but from today (Thursday) we are taking action to eliminate various Customs checkpoints located in states bordering the United States and Guatemala, though not exactly on the borders," said President Enrique Peña Nieto.
In order to meet internal demand the country needs to purchase 200 thousand tons of black beans, therefore it has temporarily removed import taxes on the grain.
According to the Minister of Agriculture of Brazil, Antonio Andrade, the Government has decided to temporarily remove tariffs applied on the import of the grain, with the goal of guaranteeing supply without pushing prices higher.
Tariffs have been temporarily removed for the import of lemons and green tomatoes, while there will be new quota of 300.000 tons for foreign chicken.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy of Mexico (SE):
At a press conference, the Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, the Deputy Minister of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance, Miguel Messmacher and Undersecretary of Agriculture of Sagarpa, Jesus Aguilar Padilla, announced the measures implemented by the Government of the Republic to help contribute to stabilizing prices and meeting the increased demand for some commodities.
In late May, the two countries will officially sign a partial scope agreement.
According to Maria Luisa Flores, vice minister of Foreign Trade and Integration in Guatemala, the signing will take place on 30 or 31 May, taking advantage of the visit of foreign business people participating in the Guatemala Investment Summit.
"To pave the way, a technical committee from the Ministry of Economy will travel to the Caribbean island in order to revise and refine the legal texts of the Partial Scope Agreement (PSA)", noted an article in Americaeconomia.com
Complaints have been sent to WTO over Peru's tariffs for agricultural products which are modified according to changes in international commodity prices.
"Peruvian trade policy on agricultural products establishes a price range as a stabilization mechanism. This measure allows tariffs to rise or fall according to international prices," noted an article in Elcomercio.pe.
While passing Trade Agreement with Central America, the EP approved two clauses to protect European banana production in light of reduced tariff for imports from Central America, Peru and Colombia.
These safeguards measures will allow the EU Commission to suspend preferential tariffs for up to three months should banana imports reach certain levels.
The Mediterrean Shipping Company Mexico has announced the activation of its system of alliances with Colombian and Costa Rican ports in order to give special attention to ships with refrigerated cargo of chicken and eggs.
Through the program the company is making available to Mexico their ship’s continental routes to aid in the supply of eggs and chicken in the face of effects of the outbreak of bird flu detected in the state of Jalisco.
In order to overcome a shortage in the market and the consequent rise in prices, Mexico is eliminating tariffs from egg imports from any country that provides them.
A statement from the Ministry of Economy in Mexico reads:
Given the significant recovery in the price of eggs in the last few days, the Secretary of Economy, Bruno Ferrari, announced this afternoon the elimination of tariffs on imports of this product from countries with which we have trade agreements.
An authorization by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration for the duty free imports will be in force until December 31, 2012.
From resolution 286-2012 by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (COMIECO):
Considering:
1. That in accordance with Article 38 of the Protocol to the General Treaty of Central American Economic Integration Protocol of Guatemala, as amended by the amendment of February 22, 2002, and 6, 7 and 22 of the Convention on the Tariff and Customs Regime it is the responsibility exclusive of this forum, to direct and administer the Tariff and Customs Regime as well as approve and amend the Import Tariff Rights contained in the Central American Import Tariff;
Panama's accession will be formalized in late June and will accelerate the elimination of tariffs and facilitate regional trade.
In Costa Rica and other Central American countries there are expectations over Panama's accession to the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat, which will be signed in Tegucigalpa on June 29, and the regional benefits it will bring.