Andean Community trade organization orders Colombia and Ecuador to eliminate tariffs

The Andean Community trade bloc ordered Colombia ‌and Ecuador to lift all measures restricting trade ‌between the two countries, after each raised tariffs on the other.

Colombia and Ecuadorian presidents Gustavo Petro and Daniel during a meeting in Quito in early 2025.

The ​Community ruled on Thursday on requests from both nations after Ecuador raised tariffs on imports from Colombia to 100%, prompting Colombia to retaliate with phased tariff hikes ‌of up to 75% ⁠on some goods.

The multilateral body gave the two countries 10 business days to withdraw ⁠the measures in place.

“I have no problem in removing the tariffs on products from Ecuador in the same ​way and ​chronology as they were ​imposed,” Colombian President Gustavo ‌Petro said in a post on X.

Ecuador’s foreign ministry said it was analyzing the resolution.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa imposed tariffs on Colombian imports early this year, including electricity and medicines, eventually raising them to 100% as ‌of May 1, arguing that ​his larger neighbor was not doing ​enough to combat ​drug trafficking along their 590-km (360-mile) shared border ‌and citing a trade deficit.

Petro ​rejected the accusations. ​His government responded by suspending electricity exports and last week formalizing differentiated tariffs of 35%, 50% ​and 75% on ‌around 190 Ecuadorean products.

If either Ecuador or Colombia or if both countries reject the ruling, they have the right to appeal, a process that could take a year and a half to two years.

In addition to Colombia and Ecuador, the Andean Community includes Peru and Bolivia.