The United States has presented Ecuador with a formal proposal to eliminate tariffs on three of its main non-oil export products: bananas, shrimp, and cocoa. The measure, which would reduce import duties to 0% for entry into the U.S. market, aims to strengthen trade relations between the two countries and open a new chapter in their bilateral partnership.

The offer comes at a decisive moment. After losing preferential tariff agreements in previous years, Ecuadorian products currently enter the U.S. with a base tariff of around 15%, which has limited their competitiveness against other Latin American suppliers with active trade deals. Duty-free access would help Ecuador regain market share, improve profit margins per box or pound exported, and provide long-term price stability.

For bananas, the benefit would be immediate: it would lower logistical, freight, and certification costs, allowing Ecuador to compete on equal footing with Guatemala and Costa Rica, which already enjoy tariff advantages. In shrimp, it would consolidate Ecuador’s leadership as a top-volume, high-traceability supplier to the U.S. market, where demand for products with sanitary and sustainability guarantees continues to grow. For cocoa and its derivatives, it would encourage industrialization, boosting exports of cocoa butter, paste, and fine chocolate instead of relying solely on raw beans.

The scope of this proposal goes beyond tariff relief. To fully capitalize on it, Ecuador must ensure strict compliance with U.S. food safety and traceability regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). It will also require reviewing rules of origin and adapting certification systems to meet U.S. standards for safety, sustainability, and transparency along the supply chain.

The Ecuadorian private sector already envisions the next steps: mapping specific tariff lines by product and presentation, prearranging purchase volumes with U.S. distributors, closing gaps in sustainability and digital traceability, and ensuring logistical capacity to handle a potential rise in demand. At the same time, it will be crucial for port infrastructure and the cold chain to operate efficiently and with full visibility to meet shipping times and import requirements.

The zero-tariff proposal is more than just a commercial gesture. It represents a chance to reposition Ecuador within the U.S. market, regain competitiveness against regional peers, and generate a positive impact on rural employment and the export economy. If implemented, it would mark a milestone in the recent history of Ecuador–U.S. economic relations, strengthening ties with one of Ecuador’s main trading partners and ushering in a new era of cooperation based on openness and quality.