A Framework Agreement with the United States Tied to Negotiating Rhetoric and Semantics – Trade News | 16/11/25

On November 13, the United States and Argentina announced the signing of the “Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment”, establishing the groundwork for a future bilateral treaty. According to the Argentine Exporters’ Chamber (CERA), while this marks a significant step, it still constitutes a joint declaration requiring a formal text and parliamentary approval. From the legal perspective, Argentina commits to opening its market with preferential access for U.S. goods (such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, ICT, agricultural products) and to streamlining import procedures from the U.S., as well as aligning its intellectual property and technical standards with international norms. Meanwhile, the U.S. recognizes Argentina’s reform agenda and plans to eliminate tariffs on certain natural resources and pharmaceutical items—though the specifics remain undefined. However, analysts warn that the wording of the agreement reveals a clear imbalance: most explicit commitments fall on Argentina, while U.S. obligations remain pending or broadly stated, raising doubts about real reciprocity and the impact on sensitive sectors such as agriculture, automotive and critical minerals. Link to Article