Jul 07, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Argentina's furniture sector has imposed a 35% cutback in imports of Brazilian furniture to Argentina, reported O Estado de São Paulo. This percentage was based on 2008 figures and decided after hours of discussions in Buenos Aires, during which Argentine furniture entrepreneurs tried to restrict more than 40% of exports when compared to last year’s total. The Argentine manufacturers state that Argentina is facing an invasion of Brazilian products. In the midst of the international crisis, local businesses are calling for protection from so called ‘asymmetries’ in relation to Brazilian manufacturers. Argentine trade barriers, which include a non-automatic licensing process, quotas, value criterion, anti-dumping measures, among others, affect 14% of Brazilian exports to the country. In 2008, Brazil exported $155 million worth of all furniture types to Argentina. For wooden furniture, sales reached $41 million. However, between January and March 2009, Brazil exported only $16.5 million in furniture. The agreement on furniture trade between Brazil and Argentina is valid for one year and ends on 31 December 2009. At the next negotiation in December, Brazilian entrepreneurs hope Argentina will remove barriers to trade between the two nations in 2010.