QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador’s president, a conservative, announced on Monday that he will be increasing tariffs on imports from Mexico, a move reminiscent of the trade barriers initially proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against Mexico. President Daniel Noboa stated that the 27% tariff on Mexican goods is intended to support local manufacturers. Some speculate that this decision may also be an attempt to align with the U.S., as the Trump administration recently threatened to impose its own 25% tariffs on Mexico.
Both Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have decided to pause the tariffs to allow for further negotiations. Trump’s demands include greater efforts from Mexico to combat illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl across the border.
Noboa, who interrupted his re-election campaign to attend Trump’s inauguration in Washington last month, has shown admiration for Trump’s victory in Latin America.
Ecuador’s tariff announcement occurs amidst a tense diplomatic conflict with Mexico, stemming from an incident where Ecuadorian authorities entered the Mexican Embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas. While Mexico accused Ecuador of violating international law, Ecuador defended its actions by claiming that Glas was wanted for fraud, not political motives, and criticized Mexico for granting him political asylum without merit.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, trade between Ecuador and Mexico remains minimal, representing less than 1% of Mexico’s total exports according to Mexican central bank data.
Noboa, an heir to a banana fortune, will be running in the upcoming elections for his first full constitutional term after stepping in to complete the presidency following the earlier mandate of ex-President Guillermo Lasso.
