ARTI refers, in these lines, to the so-called Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment signed between the Argentine Republic and the United States of America. In this context, the use of the term "architecture" deserves special mention, as it seeks to understand the concept of origin not as a mere administrative procedure, but as a true process engineering aimed at guaranteeing the legal security of commercial exchange.
The recent signing of this agreement, on February 5, 2026, marks the shift from a regional protection model to one of integration into global value chains. In this scenario, Argentina's strategic success will depend on regulatory convergence and, above all, on the ability of producers to adapt to international standards under a more open and competitive framework.
Unlike other agreements signed by Argentina—both bilateral and within the framework of MERCOSUR—the ARTI is based on a scheme of reciprocal benefits limited to the parties, supported by the principle of “good faith.” This concept, traditionally incorporated into the training of all foreign trade professionals as the basis of international trade practices, acquires a central operational dimension in this agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, one of the most relevant methodological elements of the agreement focuses on the control powers conferred upon customs authorities. Should either party detect that the benefits of the agreement may be extending to operators or products not included among the signatories, it may request a technical review of the rules of origin. This imposes on the exporter the obligation to:
- Guaranteeing substantial transformation: Ensure that the production process reaches a sufficient level of processing to qualify as originating under the rules of the agreement.
- Supporting traceability: Demonstrate that the added value effectively corresponds to the scope of the agreement, safeguarding the operation against possible schemes of triangulation of inputs from economies considered non-market.
And regarding the control factor: who oversees it?
In terms of customs intervention, the scheme is geared towards a self-certification model by the exporter, based on the principle of "reasonable care." This approach places the primary responsibility on the operator to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and documentary support of the information related to origin.
Within this framework, customs authorities—and particularly those of the United States (US Customs and Border Protection – CBP)—retain broad powers of verification and auditing. These powers can be exercised through documentary requests, technical questionnaires, requests for additional information, and even on-site inspections at production facilities.
All of this is with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of the agreement are applied exclusively to the signatory parties and are not diverted, directly or indirectly, to third countries.
To understand the impact of this origin architecture, it is vital to examine the sectors where traceability will be the cornerstone of competitiveness. Products such as lithium and critical minerals, beef, the knowledge economy, and agricultural machinery are some of the key players in this new phase.
Of course, for those who wish to delve deeper into the specific protocols and technical annexes of the agreement, it is advisable to consult the updates published by the official bodies of both parties, which detail the market access conditions, documentary requirements and verification methodologies under this new commercial paradigm.
Fonts
1) United States Trade Representative (USTR). Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment (ARTI). February 2026. Available: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/US%20Argentina%20ARTI%20English%20Final%20February%202026.pdf
(2) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. Argentina and the United States signed a reciprocal trade and investment agreement. February 5, 2026. Available: https://cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/noticias/argentina-y-estados-unidos-firmaron-un-acuerdo-sobre-comercio-e-inversiones
(3) US Embassy in Argentina. Reciprocal Trade and Investment Agreement between the United States and Argentina. 2026. Available: https://ar.usembassy.gov/es/acuerdo-de-comercio-e-inversion-reciprocos-entre-los-estados-unidos-y-la-argentina/
She holds a degree in International Trade (Universidad Nacional de Luján) with postgraduate studies in the Master's Degree in International Economic Relations (Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero). She has been a professional development fellow of the Organization of American States (OAS) at the George Washington University School of Law (USA). In the academic field, she is a professor at the Universidad Nacional de Luján. In the professional field, she has been an official of the Secretariat of Commerce dependent on the Ministry of Economy of the Nation, since 2005. Currently, she is the National Coordinator of the Technical Committee No. 3 "Trade Standards and Disciplines" in charge of the negotiations of rules of origin of MERCOSUR; in addition, she is the Alternate National Coordinator of the Technical Committee No. 8 "Transposition of nomenclature of trade agreements with third countries and groups of countries" also of MERCOSUR.
