As part of the Trump administration’s trade policy, it is negotiating Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ART) as a practical framework to rebalance trade relationships and expand market access for U.S. companies. Through ART negotiations, U.S. officials (e.g., at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Departments of Commerce and State, among others) are engaging trading partners on targeted commitments—including tariff reductions, removal of non-tariff barriers, improved regulatory transparency, and expanded investment opportunities. In exchange, the U.S. can adjust tariff levels to reflect improved reciprocity. The administration’s goal: achieve concrete, bilateral results rather than comprehensive, one-size-fits-all agreements.
What makes for an effective ART?
The Trump administration is attempting to set important and early markers for what modern, high-standard trade agreements can deliver for economic growth, market access, competition, trusted technologies, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.
For example, this week’s ARTs between the U.S. and El Salvador as well as the U.S. and Guatemala are pragmatic, pro-growth agreements that will deliver real commercial and economic impact. El Salvador and Guatemala made ambitious commitments to open their markets to U.S. goods and suppliers and to align with forward-looking digital and security practices, while the U.S. agreed to lower the effective tariff rate on exports from both countries.
Specifically, the agreement enables El Salvador and Guatemala to import refurbished products, supporting affordability and longer equipment lifecycles; recognizes FedRAMP-certified cloud solutions for procurement by government, eliminating duplicative security requirements for U.S. suppliers; and locks in strong digital trade disciplines, including non-discrimination for digitally delivered services and support for the global moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. Both countries also committed to restrict the use of communications equipment from untrusted vendors and to deepen cooperation with the U.S. on cybersecurity—underscoring the central role of trusted technology in national resilience and growth.
Taken together, these agreements reflect a clear, modern vision
Cisco welcomes the agreements by the U.S., El Salvador, and Guatemala for providing a solid foundation, meaningful baseline, and early precedent for additional ARTs. As more agreements are finalized, we look forward to working with the U.S. and other governments to ensure effective implementation while supporting future agreements that advance open, secure, and trusted digital markets.
