Ecuador raises tariffs on Colombian imports to 50% starting March 1

04 Mar '26

2 min read

Ecuador raises tariffs on Colombian imports to 50% starting Mar 1

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Ecuador raised tariffs on Colombian imports to 50 per cent beginning March 1 from 30 per cent earlier.
The former had imposed a 30 per cent tariff on imports from the latter in early February, citing trade deficit and a lack of cooperation in combating narcotics trafficking along their 586-km border.
Colombia said it is weighing its response and open to dialogue as it has to protect its exporters.

Ecuador raised tariffs on Colombian imports to 50 per cent beginning March 1 from 30 per cent earlier.

The former had imposed a 30 per cent tariff on imports from the latter in early February, citing trade deficit and a lack of cooperation in combating narcotics trafficking along their 586-km border.

Ecuador's production ministry described the latest tariff increase as a security fee "after noting Colombia's failure to implement concrete and effective measures in the area of border security", according to media reports from South America.

Colombia said it is weighing its response and open to dialogue as it has to protect its exporters.

Ecuador’s right-wing president Daniel Noboa has been putting pressure on his left-wing Columbian counterpart Gustavo Petro to improve border security.

Soon after the first tariffs, Ecuador raised its fee on crude from Columbia transported through its SOTE pipeline by 900 per cent to $30 per barrel, leading the latter to halt shipments.

US President Donald Trump has also blamed Petro for not acting aggressively enough to combat narcotics trafficking.

Ecuador’s trade deficit with Colombia, excluding oil, sits at roughly $1.03 billion till 2025, according to government data.

But in spite of the anticipated tariff hike, it is unclear whether Ecuador will apply the new tariffs to imported Colombian electricity.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)