On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on U.S. imports from dozens of countries and foreign locations.

In response to the tariff increase, the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex) said that since May, Costa Rica has been in talks with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), requesting a pause in the implementation of the tariff hike. “The Ministry will continue working to mitigate the impact of this decision and protect the competitiveness of Costa Rican exports,” the statement added.

The U.S. decision was driven by Costa Rica’s trade surplus with the United States, stemming from sustained export growth, according to Comex.

The country’s exports totaled more than $5 billion between January and March 2025.  North America remained Costa Rica’s top export market, with combined sales to Canada, the United States, and Mexico rising by 17% (+$372 million). While the medical equipment manufacturing sector led the surge, accounting for more than $2.4 billion in exports, a 26% increase from the previous year.

The U.S. policy aims to level the playing field by imposing tariffs on nations that officials say have long maintained high trade barriers against American products. Costa Rica, which was originally included in the 10% tariff tier announced in April, is now among the countries facing steeper rates.

The White House noted that higher tariff rates will target “the worst offenders,” which include several Asian and African nations. Notable examples include a 41% tariff on Syria or 40% on Laos.

Declaring a national economic emergency, former President Donald Trump said the U.S. had been “looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike, for more than five decades.” The statement underscored the administration’s hardline stance on trade imbalances and foreign protectionism.

The new tariff hike could put pressure on Costa Rican exporters and possibly impact the price of goods reaching U.S. consumers.

COMEX is the government agency that leads the nation’s foreign trade and investment strategies.

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