Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Results for “trade”Clear
Colombia is considering restarting electricity exports to Ecuador, but El Niño could make those sales uncertain from November 2026 into early 2027. The issue matters because the Colombia interconnection can supply about 450 MW, nearly 10% of Ecuador’s average demand.
Ecuador’s cooperative sector is still being cleaned up, with 38 credit cooperatives in forced liquidation as of May 5, 2026. Ambato, Quito and Cuenca account for most of the liquidation processes, while rising delinquency continues to pressure smaller institutions.
President Daniel Noboa named Roberto Kury as Ecuador's new foreign minister after Gabriela Sommerfeld resigned for personal and health reasons. The change matters to expats because the Foreign Ministry oversees mobility, consular services, visas, and Ecuador's international agenda.
A legal reform moving through Ecuador's Assembly aims to clear about 12,000 abandoned containers from the country's ports. The backlog includes roughly $450 million in retained cargo and average wait times of 365 days.
The U.S. Trade Representative is proposing a 10% tariff for Ecuador and five other economies over enforcement of forced-labor import bans. Public comments are open until July 6, and Ecuador’s current 10% surcharge expires July 24.
El Universo reports merchants and transport workers at Rumichaca expect activity to recover after Ecuador removed the 100% security charge on Colombian imports on June 1. Border workers said normal movement could take about a month to return.
Primicias reports President Daniel Noboa ordered Ecuador's security tariff on Colombian imports eliminated from June 1. The tariff had reached 100% during the trade dispute and affected products including medicines, cosmetics and plastic and rubber manufactures.
Monthly inflation reached 0.53% in April 2026, driven mainly by transport costs, with annual inflation at 2.6%. Meanwhile Ecuador's tariff on Colombian goods escalated to 100% on May 1. What it means for anyone living here on a fixed or foreign income.
An addendum to the AC59 trade agreement will lower the import tariff on cars made in Argentina from 16.1% to 10%. Industry expects the deal signed in the second half of June. The Toyota Hilux, a Toyota SUV, and the Ford Ranger are the models in play.
Executive Decree 383 shifts the Comisión Estratégica de Marcas to the Production, Foreign Trade and Investment ministry, replacing a 2011-era structure. The reframe moves Ecuador's international promotion away from a tourism focus toward investment and trade.
Armed forces, police, and intelligence services deployed to Puerto Bolívar in El Oro province for a major operation against criminal structures controlling the port. Defense Minister Loffredo says groups are using the port to ship drugs and extort fishermen.
Resolution 2582 declares both countries' tariffs incompatible with the Cartagena Agreement. But with rates still at 75%, business leaders on both sides say trade remains frozen.
