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Argentina is conducting inspections for products before they are exported to the US and other export markets. The move is an attempt by Argentina to tighten controls on fraudulent imports. The Argentinian government is expected to start the formal enforcement in April 1999 of new pre-shipment verifications on products in 607 tariff classifications. The products involved are mainly computers, electronics, and telecommunications equipment.

Florida citrus growers, multinational firms, and legislators are expressing support for Argentina's citrus industry as it attempts to gain greater access to the citrus market in the US. The Argentinian citrus industry is attempting to unite the parties that would gain from US policy reforms. Citrus growers in California are against changing the policy. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) of the Agricultural Department is proposing to accept fruit from northwestern Argentina for the first time in 85 years.

The freight rates on US exports travelling through ocean to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay remain declining. The rates proffered by the Inter-American Freight Conference for consolidated cargo will plunge by 10% to 15%, though carriers withdrew from an all-out battle. The embroiled shipping conference will discuss to complete the new discounted contracts for general department store merchandise that are managed by consolidators and intended for Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

The US shall make use of the Super 301 law of the World Trade Organization in their trade complaints against Indonesia, Australia and Argentina which reputedly violate international trade provisions. An Indonesian car company was given preferential duty rates because its owner is a relative of Indonesian leader Suharto while Australia refuses to get rid of export subsidies. Argentina's increased production of textiles and footwear also violate trade regulations. The US would delay trade action against Japan, Germany and Brazil.

Sales of medical equipment continue to increase in Argentina. Purchases of US-made medical diagnostic devices rose at a rate of 11% in 1994 before declining in 1995 due to the Mexican financial crisis. Argentina imports more than 95% of its medical imaging equipment fromthe US, Germany and Japan. US manufacturers expect a 10%-14% annual increase in the diagnostic devices sector until 1998.

Trade lanes between Brazil and Argentina continue to bar outside shipping lines from carrying sea freight between the two countries. However, since the region has been named as the second largest trading market for US exports with its markets continuously growing, American liners are scrambling for a position in the market. They have appealed to the State Dept., the Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime Commission to negotiate for an opening of the trade lanes between the South American nations.

The formation of Mercosur, the trade agreement between Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, is expected to boost trade and investments. However, the four nations, popularly known as the Southern Cone Common Market, need to eliminate barriers in transportation and communication by installing a unified electronic system to monitor imports and exports. They will also have to invest on infrastructure to improve road networks, railroads and build bridges.

Argentina has sought the dismantling of agricultural subsidies in the US in exchange for mutually beneficial trade between the two countries. The Argentine demand is an added issue to be agreed on and a means to buttress the Latin American country's bargaining power in negotiations that had previously been dominated by US demands for better patent and copyright laws in Latin America as a prerequisite to access to the world's biggest market, which is the US.

Shipping lines in the US-South America route have increased their services due to stiff competition. This was in spite of weak freight rates and high-volume trade lane traffic. This was attributed mainly to the increased trade volume between the US and South America. Increasing services enables shipping lines to gain market share in the region. The US-Argentina trade was presented as an example of the strength of the region's market. In 1992, water-borne US exports to Argentina went up by 8% to 1 billion metric tons, while Argentina's exports to the US rose by an impressive 26% to 2.1 billion metric tons.

Argentine wine makers have increased their red wine exports to the United States from 356,000 cases in 1997 to 1 million in 1998.

The demand for imported red meat by the US has increased in 1998, but attempts by Argentina and Uruguay to boost their sales to the US market have failed. Products by Argentina and Uruguay are selling below the expected records in the US, where they are restricted by reasonable quotas of 20,000 metric tons. The good performance of Australian and New Zealand meat exports are adversely affecting the more expensive meats from Argentina and Uruguay.

Trade of Mercosur flourishes as members of the Latin American trade bloc has increased 421.7% since 1990, amounting to $18.8 bil in 1997. Brazil alone represents over $17 bil of the $18.8 bil total, hence, there is little over $1 bil in trade among Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The opening of the economy of Brazil has enabled the Mercosur to thrive.

The US' removal of the import ban on Argentine beef may help bolster global confidence on the safety of Argentine beef. Argentine beef is known the world over for quality and the removal of the ban by the US may help instill consumer confidence on the product. Argentine beef exports are expected to increase 60% from 1997 to 2002 as aggressive marketing and reputation are in full swing.

Uruguay and Argentina trade officials are negotiating with US authorities on raising their quotas for beef exports. Uruguay exported almost 20,000 tons of beef to the US in 1996 with Argentina only beginning to reassert itself in the US market. Uruguay officials have asked for a 15,000 ton increase in its quota and it is likely that Argentina will follow suit. The two countries are renowned for selling high quality beef.

Argentine and Brazilian officials stated economic ties among Latin American countries will endure and will not hurt trade with other countries. They added that deregulation, privatization, open markets, and a steep decline in inflation abetted their countries' economic rebounds. The officials also noted that both regional and global trade barriers are being cut.

Argentina may take a year before it rules on a US appeal regarding its decision to reimpose tariff increases for the footwear industry as an emergency safeguard action. Argentina, which increased textile and footwear tariffs in 1996, cancelled most of the hikes when the US protested before the World Trade Organization, but decided to reimpose the increases on footwear.

Five international panels to examine trade complaints against the US, Hungary, Turkey, the European Union and Argentina were approved by the World Trade Organization (WTO). A panel was formed to investigate claims that Argentina abused its agricultural exports subsidies. Another was formed to investigate Turkey's taxation of foreign film screenings that do not conform with WTO rules. One panel will arbitrate the European Union-US discussion on the reclassification of high-tech product duties, another will hear US complaints on Argentina's textile and apparel import rules, and a panel will investigate US shrimp export restrictions.

Exports have been instrumental to the continued economic growth of Argentina. This achievement, represented by a $1.4-billion trade surplus for the period Jan.-June 1995, should encourage other Mercosur member countries to follow the path of trade for their economic recovery plans. The Mercosur is an economic alliance among six Latin American countries, including Argentina.

Argentina has a healthy trade relationship with the US, bolstered no doubt by the former's effective economic policies. The situation in 1995 has greatly improved from that during the period immediately following the Mexican-peso debacle. Imports from the US have somewhat improved but exports have shown impressive gains. Chief exports are metals and cutlery tools.

Argentine GATT negotiators have succeeded in bringing their country's foodstuffs to the US. Their aggressive bargaining has led to the expected entry of Argentine peanuts worth $25 million to US markets in early 1995 and $200 million worth of beef cuts in the second half of 1995. Argentine undersecretary of agriculture Felix Cirio says that the GATT offers vast opportunities for his country's agricultural sector.

Argentine imports have always outstripped its exports since the government decided to open the country to foreign investment and to remove import barriers in 1989. The trend has resulted in financial problems for air freight carriers, which have to deal with falling outbound rates as they carry smaller levels of exports on their return flights. The boom in imports are also creating troubles for air carriers, since it attracts other air cargo services to compete in the market, resulting in ever lower inbound rates.

The Argentine government wants to see more small and medium-sized companies follow the success of Mono Azul SA, which has entered the competitive US food market. Argentina's prime export target is the US. It is creating a climate conducive to production and exports. The government wants US companies to be its suppliers of capital goods which would be used in restructuring Argentina's industrial processes and export.

The continued expansion of Argentina's trade deficit caused by the country's overvalued currency has resulted in the influx of imports into the domestic market. US imports in the country increased by 79% from Jan.-Apr. 1994 while Argentine exports to the US grew by 36%. Argentina's total imports reached $4.2 billion during the same period while overall exports were estimated to amount to $6.6 billion. Aside from causing a surge in imports, the overvalued Argentine peso is also responsible for the rising unemployment.

Negotiations for the creation of the Southern Cone Common Market among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are progressing well. The trade bloc aims to create a free trade area for goods traded among the four nations and to establish common external tariffs for goods imported from third countries. Low-level negotiations began in 1991 and are expected to culminate in Aug. 1994, when the presidents of the respective nations meet in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A special trade body that will examine complaints of unfair trading practices from domestic industries will be formed by Argentina. It will be the first country in South America to create such an independent trade commission. The agency, which will be called Federal Foreign Trade Commission, will begin operating in the fall of 1994. Its 1994 budget is placed at $2 million, increasing to $4.6 million in 1995.

Argentina has started to improve its waterborne trade through the upgrading of its marine terminals and waterways. By improving its marine infrastructure, Argentina hopes to enhance overall port operations. As plans toward the construction of better infrastructure proceed as scheduled, a number of ocen carriers have decided to boost their operations in the country. These carriers include Columbus Line Inc. Crowley American Transport Inc. and Pan-American Independent Line of Uruguay.

Exporters of medical equipment and supplies have found big opportunities in the Argentinian market. Argentina's economic recovery is fueling a flurry of trade with foreign nations. The medical sector, which has been growing at a 10% annual rate over the past five years, is expected to gain an even bigger market in the future. Argentina's improving economy is supporting the country's move toward modernization, particularly in its medical sector.

Cheaper-priced soybeans from Argentina and Brazil are undercutting the US' market competitiveness in export trade. Argentina has even overtaken other producers in supplying Taiwan, Japan and other countries with susbtantial soybean demand. Although a shipping backlog was expected to slow down Brazilian bean delivery, Argentina's cheaper prices was still a dominant factor in netting the Taiwan soybean market.

Argentina will continue its commitment to open trade amidst a record trade deficit and a variety of import restrictions. The country has a trade deficit of almost $4 billion and is confined to import restrictions on various goods such as chocolates, carpets, Brazilian refrigerators and Chinese textiles. However, the restrictions do not mean that Argentina will change its trade policy. The decisions are actually a result of lobbying by special-interest groups that are concerned with the ill effects of import flooding on industry.

Top agricultural industry officials of Brazil and Argentina are set to hold talks concerning Canadian wheat imports. Brazil will study a request for action made by the Argentine government regarding allegedly subsidized wheat imports from Canada. Argentina, which is traditionally Brazil's top supplier of imported wheat, is denouncing what it describes as unfair Canadian competition in the Brazilian market.

Pres Bill Clinton's administration has selected Argentina and Indonesia as target markets for expanding export sales. Commerce Undersec Jeffrey Garten will meet with Indonesia US ambassador Robert Barry to discuss a unified plan for export expansion. The expansion plans for the two countries is viewed by some analysts as an initial step for integration into other markets including China, Brazil, South Korea and Argentina.

Argentina is launching a half-million-dollar promotion campaign in 1994 to eliminate its $1.7 billion trade deficit with the US. It would target US buyers of products such as fish, fruits and auto parts. Argentina's trade deficit with the US is expected to reach $3 billion in 1993. The largest category of goods shipped by Argentine exporters to the US was food products, while the second largest category was leather goods.

Argentine government trade officials and private traders are predicting a rise in Brazil's wheat imports for the 1993-1994 marketing year. Their presumption is based on Brazil's declining crop production and increasing domestic consumption. However, the uneven quality of Argentina's wheat exports and the small harvest are expected to limit the country exports for the said marketing year.

Argentina's grain industry is experiencing a surge in regional demand since Latin America's economy has improved. Brazil will import about 3 million metric tons of Argentine wheat in 1993 and 4 million more in 1994 aside from 800,000 metric tons of Argentine corn in 1993. Other major buyers of corn and wheat are Chile, Peru and Venezuela. Smaller grain markets such as Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay are also expected to grow.

Brazil will abandon its preferential treatment of capital goods imports from Argentina if Argentina does not reverse its decision to remove preferential tariffs for sales of Brazilian capital goods. Since 1988, Brazilian imports of Argentinian capital goods have been exempt from the tariffs payable by other suppliers. Prior to Argentina's removal of tariffs on all capital goods in Jul 1993, Brazilian capital goods imports had been subject to lower tariffs. Brazil, which has long enjoyed a surplus from its bilateral trade with Argentina, has given Argentina until Aug 13, 1993, to take action.

Argentina is urging shipowners around the world to register their vessels under the Argentine flag and has plans to enact legislation that would ease restrictions on crew levels, insurance, taxes and paperwork. The plan would place Argentina on par with Norway's registry law, according to government officials. Some local shipping analysts commenting on the proposal sight unseen, say they doubt the law would do more than attract Argentine carriers who left two years ago when other registry restrictions were relaxed. The proposal is expected to go to Congress in August, reports a government official. Some 80% of Argentine vessels operate under foreign flags.

Promex Inc, a division of Argentina's agricultural department, is organizing two trade missions to the US during fall 1993 for the country's fruit and vegetable growers and exporters to meet with US businessmen and government officials. One mission will visit Philadelphia in September and the other will visit Washington DC in October. Argentina exported $19 million worth of fruit and $4 million worth of vegetables to the US in 1992.

Latin American countries will not accept protectionist decisions from the Group of 7 economic summit and Argentina will seek positive results from the Uruguay Round trade talks, stated Carlos Saul Menem, Argentina's reform-minded president. He sees Argentina and the coming Mercosur common market eventually included in the North American free-trade agreement (Nafta). Also, Latin America's candidate for director general of the 111-nation General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) could force creation of a new deputy director general post and bring the issue to a vote.

The arrival of the Roma Universal at the Port of Philadelphia's Packer Avenue Terminal marks the start of the Argentinian fruit-handling season. The vessel is the first of nine Argentinian ships expected to unload pears and apples from the Latin American country at the terminal's breakbulk facility. The ships are leased by Argenfruit, a grouping of Argentinian growers and exporters.

Argentina stands to lose $12 million after an export swindling ring capitalized on the government's export incentive program. The swindling ring posed operatives as legitimate exporters and applied for the government export tax refunds. Argentine banks released the tax refunds to the swindlers for two months before becoming suspicious of the alleged exporters. The tax refunds were part of the Argentine government's export incentive program designed to cut down the country's $3 billion trade deficit.

Corporate executives and analysts are doubtful about the advisability of the Argentine government's tariff reduction for firms that boost export. The country's Economic Ministry, however, contended that the new measures are designed to promote export with the help of those imported items necessary for the principal products. The law states that companies that post export gains are only required to pay 2% tariff on import goods. The opposition, on the other hand, is apprehensive that the measure could backfire by increasing the imports instead.

The increasing imbalance in trade between Argentina and Brazil may affect the Southern Cone Common Market, a free trade agreement among the two countries plus Uruguay and Paraguay. Average tariffs among the four South American countries has decreased by 65%, however, Argentina developed a large trade deficit with Brazil which may reach $1.5 billion for 1992. The solution to the trade imbalance rests on Brazil which accounts for 75% of the total production of goods and services.

The Mercosur nations are pushing through with their plan of establishing a free-trade zone. Leaders of the member nations, which include Brazil, Argentia, Uruguay and Paraguay, have agreed to set the maximum import tariff for most products from non-Mercosur countries at 20%. Some items will be charged 35%, however, at the instigation of Brazil. Brazil is hesitant to expose its textile and computer industries to Asian and North American manufacturers without ample protection.

Argentine farmers are worried that international competition in the soybean and sunflower seed markets will become tighter with economic downturns in Europe, the main market for its oilseed exports. Revenue from these products range from $2.5 to $3 billion annually, with the top exports being sunflower seed products, soyoil and soy pellets. Without the expected economic upswing and the favorable conditions from the GATT talks, Argentina would face stiff competition in the soy markets from the US and Brazil. Unlike the US, Argentina's farm products are not subsidized.

The heads of state of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which form the South American tade bloc Mercado Comun del Sur, will meet Dec 28, 1992 in Colonia Uruguay to discuss the projected import tariffs on goods from non-member countries. Argentina proposes an average of 20% while Brazil wants a 35% tariff to protect its various industries. The four member countries have decided to eliminate all their internal tariffs by Jan 1995.

Argentina's intention to export canola to Japan has been undermined by production losses, quality problems related to transport and storage and farmers' unwillingness to replace winter cash crops with canola. The farmers have sent an initial 20,000 metric tons of canola to Japan in Jan 1992 but there are no forthcoming orders because of its inferior quality compared to Canadian canola.