Dominican Republic hopes for fair and reciprocal U.S. tariff treatment

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader said the Dominican Republic considers the United States its main strategic ally and expressed hope that trade between the two countries will continue under the preferential conditions established by the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement.

During his weekly agenda program, Abinader said the government has raised concerns with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo over the tariff treatment recently applied to Dominican exports.

The president said he believes the treatment has not been as fair and reciprocal as expected, although relations between the two countries remain strong in other areas.

Abinader emphasized that his administration wants to preserve the zero-tariff access traditionally provided under DR-CAFTA, stating that respect for the agreement is the country’s main expectation in the ongoing discussions with Washington.

The Dominican government is currently negotiating a tariff agreement with the United States aimed at improving market access for Dominican products. Abinader has identified the negotiations as a priority.

The United States is the Dominican Republic’s largest trading partner, making tariff changes particularly significant for industries including free zones, manufacturing and agricultural exports.