Statement

The United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Republic of El Salvador (El Salvador) have agreed to a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) that further strengthens and builds upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for the United States and El Salvador in 2006.

Key terms of the Agreement between the United States and El Salvador will include:

El Salvador has committed to addressing a wide range of non-tariff barriers affecting trade in priority areas, including streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals for U.S. exports, such as pharmaceutical products and medical devices; removing import restrictions on remanufactured goods; accepting U.S. auto standards; streamlining certificate of free sale requirements, accepting electronic certificates; removing apostille requirements; and expediting product registration requirements for U.S. exports.

El Salvador also has committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market, including with regard to U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities.

El Salvador has committed to move forward with certain international intellectual property treaties and provide transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications, while ensuring that market access for U.S. agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese and meat terms.

El Salvador has recommitted to preventing barriers to services and digital trade with the United States and committed to refrain from imposing discriminatory digital services taxes. The United States and El Salvador will support a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

El Salvador has committed to continue facilitating trade, as well as adopting and implementing good regulatory practices.