Without ATPDEA, we now have to pay 10% more in tariffs | Sin ATPDEA ahora debemos pagar 10% más en aranceles

By Marisol Alvarado, Vision 360:

Trade measure

More than 200 Bolivian products entering the United States will have to pay a 10% tariff

According to the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE), Bolivia exports around 208 products to the United States, including tin, Brazil nuts, quinoa, and other minerals.

Exportaciones bolivianas. Foto: ABI

Bolivian exports. Photo: ABI

Starting April 5, Bolivian products entering the U.S. market will be subject to a 10% tariff after the country’s president, Donald Trump, approved a “reciprocal tariff” for Latin American countries, except for Mexico, which is not affected for now. Venezuela and Nicaragua will face higher rates of 15% and 18%, respectively.

During an event at the White House Rose Garden, Trump justified the measure as an action to level the playing field with third countries that, in his view, have benefited for decades from preferential access to the U.S. market without offering similar conditions to American products.

For example, China was hit with a 34% tariff, while products from the European Union face a 20% tariff.

According to the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE), Bolivia exports around 208 products to the United States, including tin, Brazil nuts, quinoa, and other minerals.

A report from the National Chamber of Exporters (Caneb) also indicates that the United States is the 12th largest destination for Bolivian exports.

Between January and November 2024, exports to the U.S. reached $250.73 million in value and 52,179.04 net tons in volume.

For IBCE manager Gary Rodríguez, quoted by the newspaper El Deber, “the tariff increase will make exports more difficult” and called the measure “sad news.”

Trump’s decision has created uncertainty among U.S. trade partners in Latin America, especially in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, which maintain close economic ties with Washington.

Venezuela (15%) and Nicaragua (18%) are countries Washington attributes with a lack of democratic cooperation and open hostility toward the United States.

By Brujula Digital:

US imposes 10% tariff on Bolivian products, exporters warn of impact

U.S. President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday the imposition of a 10% tariff on all imports from Bolivia and other Latin American countries, a measure that will take effect on April 5.

Trump presents new global tariff rates. Photo: Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday the imposition of a 10% tariff on all imports from Bolivia and other Latin American countries, a measure that will take effect on April 5. The decision is part of a new trade strategy that the president described as an act of “reciprocity” in response to what he considers unfair trade barriers imposed against U.S. products.

During a speech at the White House, Trump argued that many countries have treated the U.S. disproportionately, imposing high tariffs on its products, which he compared to “cheating” in international trade. He also declared the day as “Economic Liberation Day” and justified the measure as part of a strategy to strengthen the U.S. economy amid what has been described as a “trade war” against powers like China and the European Union.

The measure applies to all Latin American countries, except Cuba, due to the trade embargo, and Mexico, which is protected under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Among the affected nations, Bolivia will face a 10% tariff, while Nicaragua and Venezuela will be subject to higher tariffs of 18% and 15%, respectively.

The general manager of the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE), Gary Rodríguez, called the decision a “sad development” for Bolivian exports and warned that it will further hinder the entry of national products into the U.S. market, which is considered one of the most attractive in the world.

Rodríguez recalled that Bolivia lost the benefits of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) in 2008 due to the suspension of anti-drug cooperation with the U.S., severely impacting sectors such as manufacturing and textiles. Currently, Bolivian exports to the United States are covered under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which allows more than 5,000 products to enter duty-free. However, this mechanism expired in 2020, and its renewal remains pending in the U.S. Congress, creating uncertainty among exporters.

According to IBCE data, in 2023, Bolivia exported 264 products to the U.S. worth a total of $224 million, while in 2022, it shipped 258 products valued at $251 million through November. Key exports include tin, Brazil nuts, quinoa, tungsten, silver, antimony oxide, jewelry, sugar, leather products, coffee, and chia, among others.

Economist and analyst Gonzalo Chávez warned that these tariffs would be a “severe blow” to the Bolivian economy and impact strategic sectors such as agribusiness and manufacturing. He also emphasized the need for Bolivia to diversify its markets and promote trade liberalization policies to mitigate the effects of the measure.

BD/RED

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