On April 30, the government of President Javier Milei received a significant endorsement from the United States, as Argentina’s intellectual property (IP) rating was upgraded in the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) annual review.
The USTR’s Special Report 301, which assesses the global landscape of IP protection and enforcement, announced that Argentina has been removed from the “List of Priority Vigilance” and placed on the “List of Vigilance.” This move acknowledges Argentina’s recent efforts to address major concerns regarding IP rights protection.
Argentina had been on the Priority Watch List since 1996, a designation reserved for countries with serious deficiencies in the protection or enforcement of intellectual property rights. The country’s removal from this list marks a notable shift in its international IP standing after nearly three decades.
The report, overseen by USTR Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, highlights the February 2024 signing of the Reciprocal Agreement on Trade and Investment between the United States and Argentina. Under this agreement, the Milei administration committed to measures designed to benefit US innovators and creators, including reinforcing IP protections and prioritizing enforcement actions against IP piracy.
According to the Special Report 301, Argentina’s commitments include advancing adherence to several key international agreements related to intellectual property. The report notes that the country has begun to address a number of longstanding IP issues previously identified by the USTR.
The USTR further emphasized that Argentina has pledged to implement rigorous standards of transparency and fairness in the protection of geographical indications. The government has also committed to ensuring that US products can continue to use certain terms that have been previously protected as geographical indications in a manner deemed unfair by US authorities.
The report states, “This includes advancing in the adherence to several key international agreements respecting intellectual property and adopting measures to resolve numerous long-term problems of intellectual property identified in Special Report 301.”
Additionally, the USTR noted, “Argentina has also committed itself to applying rigorous standards of transparency and equity respecting the protection of geographical indications while guaranteeing that US products may continue using terms which have been unfairly protected as geographical indications.”
The upgrade in Argentina’s IP status is seen as a reflection of the closer diplomatic and economic ties between Washington and Buenos Aires under President Milei’s leadership. The USTR’s recognition is expected to further encourage foreign investment and innovation in Argentina, particularly from US stakeholders.
The Special Report 301 is an influential tool used by the US government to monitor and promote improvements in IP protection and enforcement worldwide. Countries listed on the Priority Watch List are subject to heightened scrutiny and may face additional diplomatic pressure to address deficiencies.
Argentina’s removal from the Priority Watch List after nearly three decades signals a new phase in US-Argentina trade relations and highlights the Milei administration’s commitment to strengthening intellectual property protections.