Browse Data and Analysis

On June 28, 2019, the European Union became the first major partner to strike a trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (or MERCOSUR) countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Ecuador extended its tariff exemption for soybean meal and wheat imports from all origins for five years, effective January 1, 2020.

On January 1, 2017, Ecuador’s entry into the European Union’s Andean Multiparty Trade Agreement took effect.

The Government of Ecuador has announced several new trade measures that, while framed as a way to curb smuggling and tax fraud, also appear to be protectionist in nature.

On December 23, 2016, Ecuador’s Foreign Trade Committee passed the extension of the current tariff and duty exemption for wheat imports from all origins (including the United States).

On December 23, 2016, Ecuador’s Foreign Trade Committee passed the extension of the current tariff and duty exemption for soybean meal imports from all origins (including the United States).

The United States is the world’s largest producer of beef but it also imports more beef than any other country.

Ecuador’s Foreign Trade Committee (COMEX) Resolution 012-2015 grants variable duty exemption that had been set at four percent to wheat, wheat semolina, and wheat flour imports from all origins.

Ecuador called for a temporary 30-60 day global ban on tuna fishing to compensate for excessive overfishing in 2014. East Asia-Pacific states have rejected the proposal.

Although Ecuador maintains a number of anti-biotech laws and regulations, there is minimal enforcement, and trade in cotton and soybean products continues.