Ecuador, Canada Sign Free Trade Agreement to Nearly All Exports Duty-Free

Ecuador and Canada have signed a free trade agreement that will allow 99.6% of Ecuadorian exportable goods to enter the Canadian market without customs duties once the deal comes into effect, marking a major step toward expanding trade ties and increasing access for Ecuadorian products.

The agreement covers trade in goods and services, investment, e-commerce, labor, environmental standards, Indigenous peoples’ rights and mechanisms for resolving trade disputes.

More than 600 Ecuadorian products are expected to benefit from tariff exemptions, including bananas, cocoa, shrimp, tropical fruits and vegetables, strengthening the country’s position in the Canadian market.

The agreement also provides preferential access for several key sectors, including flowers, tuna products, textiles, footwear and cosmetics. At the same time, it protects 227 sensitive agricultural products, including rice, corn, milk, meat and sugar, through exclusion measures or special safeguards.

The trade deal follows the conclusion of substantive negotiations between Ecuador and Canada in May 2025 after six rounds of talks. The comprehensive agreement also includes provisions related to financial services, investment, telecommunications, government procurement, competition policy, digital trade, environmental protection and labor standards.

Ecuador’s government said the agreement places the country on a more equal footing with regional competitors such as Colombia and Peru, which already benefit from preferential trade arrangements with Canada.

Officials expect the agreement to support export growth, attract investment and create new opportunities for Ecuadorian producers seeking greater integration into global markets.