Ecuadorian flowers, fruits, fish and canned goods have had to face an unexpected obstacle since April: a 10% tariff imposed by the United States. But there is good news on the horizon. Ecuador has just completed a crucial round of negotiations to reverse this measure and ensure that its star products continue to shine in international markets without cost overruns. The Minister of Production led the talks with the Office of the US Trade Representative, seeking not only the elimination of the tariff, but also to resolve a list of “trade irritants” that affect the bilateral flow. These include technical barriers, intellectual property issues and market access conditions.

The United States has extended the deadline until August 1, 2025 to make a final decision on the surcharge, which opens a critical window for Ecuador. Sectors, such as the banana industry, expect the rate to be reduced to 0%. This expectation is not minor, considering that the country achieved a 3.4% growth in the first quarter of the year, driven by non-oil exports.

This achievement reflects the essential role of exports in the national economy, and also how fragile this success can be if favorable trading conditions are not maintained.
Achieving a tariff reduction would not only be a short-term victory. It also means opening the door to greater foreign investment, consolidating strategic relations with the US market and moving towards a broader trade agreement that positions Ecuador within regional and global value chains.
With ports such as Guayaquil and Posorja ready to take on greater volumes, and with a legal framework that is being modernized, the country has everything it needs to consolidate itself as an agile, reliable and competitive export platform.