The United States has signed reciprocal trade agreements with Guatemala and El Salvador, boosting market access for U.S. agricultural products and biofuels while reinforcing longstanding economic ties in the region.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joined Guatemala’s Minister of Economy Adriana Gabriela Garcia to sign an agreement that removes non-tariff barriers, including discriminatory sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions. Guatemala committed to an E10 ethanol blend mandate for on-road vehicles and plans to purchase at least 50 million gallons of U.S. ethanol annually, enhancing its role as a key market for U.S. feed grains.
Mark Wilson, chairman of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, called the deal a major win for ethanol producers and the broader agricultural sector. He highlighted the biotechnology chapter’s emphasis on science- and risk-based regulations, which protects grain trade from duplicative rules and non-tariff barriers.
In a parallel agreement, Greer and El Salvador’s Minister of Economy Maria Luisa Hayem signed a framework to address non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. exports, streamline regulatory approvals, and protect labor and environmental standards. Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, noted that U.S. corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles exports to El Salvador have surged by 124% and 98%, respectively, in the first quarter of the 2025/2026 marketing year.
LeGrand expressed optimism that the agreement will expand trade opportunities further. Both agreements include provisions to strengthen economic and national security cooperation, improve supply chain resilience, and address unfair trade practices. The United States plans to remove reciprocal tariffs on qualifying exports from both countries as the deals move toward finalization and signature.
