Amidst new tariff decisions by the Donald Trump administration in the United States, Industry & Commerce Minister Víctor (Ito) Bisonó, told Hoy that the government has open the communication with US trade authorities to safeguard the country’s commercial interests and prevent the nation from being adversely affected by the new tariffs. He said the most recent conversations were on Monday, 7 July 2025 with the United States Trade Representative officials.
Minister Bisonó highlighted that President Trump recently shifted the tariff implementation date to 1 August 2025 and has begun applying a 36% tariff, primarily targeting Asian countries, including South Korea, despite an existing free trade agreement.
However, Bisonó noted that the Dominican Republic is not currently an immediate focus of these decisions. The DR was levied a 10% tariff.
Although the negotiations may extend longer than anticipated, the minister reiterated the Dominican Republic’s vigilant and firm stance. “We are demanding the elimination of these tariffs, especially since we are a partner with a preferential trade balance of approximately US$6 billion with the United States,” Bisonó emphasized.
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Hoy
9 July 2025