Ecuador plans to impose a 27% tariff on imports from Mexico to “ensure fair treatment” for local producers, according to President Daniel Noboa’s statement on Monday.
In a message posted on X, Noboa expressed his willingness to negotiate a free trade agreement with Mexico, but emphasized that this would not happen in the face of what he termed “abuse,” without providing further details. He confirmed that until an agreement is reached, the tariff would be enforced on Mexican goods.
Data from the Mexican government indicates that Ecuador imported goods worth $541 million from Mexico in 2023, with medications being the largest category, making up 12.6% of the total imports.
Despite this, Ecuador represents a minor trading partner for Mexico, contributing less than 0.1% to Mexico’s total exports last year, as per the same data.
This announcement follows a recent pause by US President Donald Trump on his proposed 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Mexico’s economic ministry has yet to respond to CNN’s inquiry regarding Ecuador’s tariff decision.
Tensions between the two countries escalated last year when diplomatic relations were severed after Noboa ordered a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadorian vice president.
The incident, captured by surveillance cameras in April 2024, showed Ecuadorian police clashing with the top diplomat from the Mexican mission during the arrest of Glas, who was seeking asylum in Mexico at the time. Glas claimed that the embezzlement charges against him were politically motivated.
Noboa, who is the son of a banana magnate, assumed office in late 2023 as Ecuador’s youngest president, driven by a commitment to combat rampant crime. Since taking office, he has pursued a tough stance against over 20 criminal gangs.
