Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa, revealed on Monday through social media that a 27% tariff will be applied to imports from Mexico. This measure, as mentioned on his X profile, will remain in place until both nations successfully establish a Free Trade Agreement.
"As we've shown recently, the New Ecuador is always open to commercial integration, but not when there is exploitation," emphasized President Noboa. He further reiterated Ecuador's commitment to negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Mexico, but added, "Until that becomes a reality, we will enforce a 27% tariff on imported goods."
Noboa explained that this initiative aims to boost Ecuador's domestic industry and ensure fair treatment for its producers. In April 2024, a diplomatic rift occurred when Mexico suspended diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police officers stormed the Mexican Embassy in Quito to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought asylum there since the previous December.
At the time, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, then President of Mexico, described the incursion as "a blatant breach of international law and Mexican sovereignty." He instructed Mexico's Foreign Minister, Alicia Bárcena, to issue an official stance on the incident and announce the cessation of diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
In a related context, former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously declared the imposition of tariffs on Mexican goods starting in February. However, on Monday, in response to migration pressures and trade sanction threats, the Mexican government has deployed 10,000 military personnel along its border with the United States.
This decision followed a dialogue between President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump, who postponed the implementation of new tariffs on Mexican products for one month. From Truth Social, Trump shared the details of the agreement reached with Sheinbaum, describing the interaction as "very cordial."
According to Trump, President Sheinbaum agreed to the immediate deployment of 10,000 soldiers at the U.S.-Mexico border specifically tasked with "halting the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants" into the United States.
Ecuador's Tariff Policies and Trade Relations
Why did Ecuador impose a 27% tariff on Mexican imports?
Ecuador imposed the tariff to encourage domestic industry growth and ensure equitable treatment for its producers while awaiting a Free Trade Agreement with Mexico.
What led to the diplomatic tensions between Mexico and Ecuador in April 2024?
Tensions arose after Ecuadorian police entered the Mexican Embassy in Quito attempting to arrest ex-Vice President Jorge Glas, prompting Mexico to suspend diplomatic relations.
How did the U.S. and Mexico address the issue of tariffs and border security?
Following discussions between President Claudia Sheinbaum and Donald Trump, Mexico agreed to deploy troops at the U.S. border, resulting in a temporary postponement of new U.S. tariffs on Mexican products.