The Cabinet member participated in the commemorative event of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the Peruvian capital, Lima.
"Exports to the United States create more than one million jobs. The most impressive trade growth is in (terms of) agricultural exports. The United States Government, alongside Peru, will continue working to foster prosperity in our countries," she said in Spanish-language remarks.
The Peru-United States Trade Promotion Agreement was signed in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2006. It came into effect on February 1, 2009.
This trade agreement has been beneficial for Peru's economic development and has become a benchmark for subsequent international trade negotiations.
During its 15 years of existence, more than 9,254 Peruvian companies have ventured into the U.S. market for the first time.
In 2023 alone, nearly 3,000 Peruvian companies exported goods to the United States, with 63% being micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
As of 2023, the United States remains Peru's second-largest trading partner globally, with a total trade value exceeding $19 billion, accounting for 17% of Peruvian trade with the world.
In 2023, the main products exported to the United States included blueberries (US$967 million), grapes (US$841 million), asparagus (US$288 million), gold (US$941 million), copper (US$726 million), cotton garments (US$525 million), among others.
This event was aimed at the business sector. It was attended by U.S. Ambassador Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath; Peru's Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary General, Ambassador Eric Anderson; Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Teresa Mera; AMCHAM Executive-Director Aldo Defilippi; representatives from the main export guilds to the United States; as well as Peruvian and U.S. authorities.
(END) NDP/MVB