Argentina in April will lower 35% tariff on computers and laptops imports

Tuesday, February 21st 2017 - 10:52 UTC

Full article 46 comments

Computers are three times more expensive in Argentina than in the US, and 50% more expensive than in neighboring Chile, the ministry said in a statement.

Argentina will get rid of a 35% tariff on imports of computers, laptops and tablets, the Production Ministry said on Monday, part of a larger effort to lower consumer prices and roll back protectionist policies.

The government hopes the elimination of the tariff, which will take effect in April, can normalize the distorted consumer electronics market. Computers are three times more expensive in Argentina than in the United States, and 50% more expensive than in neighboring Chile, the ministry said in a statement.

Former populist President Cristina Fernandez instituted a number of tariffs and import restrictions in a bid to boost domestic manufacturing employment. That often resulted in higher prices, and it is common for Argentines to cross into Chile or Paraguay to buy cheaper goods.

Conservative president Mauricio Macri has implemented a number of market-friendly reforms since taking office in December 2015, including removing capital controls and cutting the budget deficit. The government is also working with unions to cut the country's famously high labor costs in a bid to boost foreign investment.

Opposition politicians have criticized the move to eliminate the tariff, citing layoffs and looming plant closures. The government said it would “accompany workers in the transition” and help them find jobs at other companies. It is yet to see how the province of Tierra del Fuego in the extreme south of the country reacts, since they have a specail “maquila” scheme to promote the computer industry.

Categories: Economy, Politics, Argentina.

Tags: Argentina, consumer electronic market Argentina.

Top Comments

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Kanye
With the removal of the high import tax, the Argentines may lose their computer “assembly” factories, but at least more lower income people will have access to the Internet, and World News and perspectives.

Online learning may be a viable alternative to the declining Arg universities, also.
Feb 22nd, 2017 - 04:32 am +5
Clyde15
Typo error by me..for type 25 substitute type 45.

Also look up USS Zumwalt. It also has a new propulsion system which has caused problems.

State of the art systems throw up unforeseen glitches which are eventually ironed out.

If nothing new was tried then we would all be back using sailing vessels à la Argentine navy

LD
University of Buenos Aires is between the world´s best, ????????

What you say about education in the UK in nonsense. Oxford has come out in place 1 in the international league, The UK in general, punches way above it's weight in respect of population. Again it depends on the course you wish to study. Edinburgh and Glasgow come out well in medicine and veterinary studies. Aberdeen has the highest rate of graduate employment. I would not attempt to name all the universities in England but none of them appear in the bottom quartile.

The Asian universities are catching up fast BUT they are pressure cookers and turning out students who have learned by rote and are not expected to challenge what they are being taught
Feb 23rd, 2017 - 11:29 am +5
Kanye
Finally, with progressive new policies, post-K Argentina is brought up to 20th C. standards.
Feb 21st, 2017 - 03:49 pm +4

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