Ecuador and Canada have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that will allow 99.6% of Ecuador’s exportable goods to enter the Canadian market tariff-free once the agreement comes into force. According to Reuters, the agreement covers trade in goods and services, investment, e-commerce, labour standards, environmental protection, Indigenous peoples’ rights, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The deal is expected to significantly expand Ecuador’s access to one of North America’s largest consumer markets while strengthening bilateral economic ties.
More than 600 Ecuadorian products will benefit from duty-free access, including key exports such as bananas, cacao, shrimp, tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, processed tuna, textiles, footwear, and cosmetics. At the same time, the agreement protects 227 sensitive agricultural products, including rice, corn, milk, meat, and sugar, by excluding them from tariff liberalisation. Ecuadorian officials said the agreement places the country on equal footing with regional competitors Colombia and Peru, which already enjoy similar preferential access to the Canadian market.
The agreement was signed in Ottawa by Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investments, Luis Jaramillo, and Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. Canada described the FTA as part of its broader strategy to diversify trade relationships and strengthen economic engagement across Latin America. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached approximately C$2 billion in 2025, making Ecuador Canada’s sixth-largest merchandise trading partner in South America.
For Ecuador, the agreement represents a major boost to export competitiveness and economic diversification. Analysts say tariff-free access to Canada will enhance opportunities for agricultural producers, manufacturers, and exporters while attracting new investment into export-oriented industries. The deal also strengthens Ecuador’s position in international trade by expanding market access beyond traditional partners and reinforcing its long-term growth strategy.
