Given the imposition of a 30% tariff on products imported from Colombia, as of February 1, 2026, Ecuador is exposed to a possible lawsuit before the Andean Community (CAN) and a trade war with the Andean country.
This was stated by Freddy Cevallos, president of the Ecuadorian Colombian Chamber of Commerce (Camecol) in an interview with PRIMICIAS this January 21, 2026.
«There are very important risks for Ecuador, since this does not have a legal framework compatible with any Andean regulations. “Colombia could file a lawsuit before the CAN Court of Justice, requesting a suspension of the measure,” explains Cevallos.
These are the products that Ecuador imports from Colombia and that could become more expensive with the 30% tariff
The union representative considers that it is very likely that the CAN will rule in favor of Colombia, in the event that the lawsuit occurs, requesting Ecuador to reverse the measure.
«Tax rates cannot be used as a pressure tool because apparently there is no collaboration from Colombia in the implementation of stronger regulations against drug trafficking. That is going to be Colombia’s main argument to initiate a lawsuit,” explains Cevallos.
Trade war?
However, since there is no precise time for how long this legal process could take in the CAN, Cevallos believes that Colombia could take a reciprocal measure of imposing a similar tariff on products imported from Ecuador, because since February the neighboring country will see its international trade affected.
“With this, what is generated is a fight, a tariff action against another tariff action, and in the end those who end up harmed are the consumers and producers, both Ecuadorians and Colombians,” says the President of Camecol.
Cevallos does not see it feasible for Ecuadorian companies to be able to absorb the cost of this new tariff, as it is very high, so he considers that it is most likely that this 30% will be transferred to the final sales price of Colombian products sold in Ecuador.
The main products imported from Ecuador are cosmetics, plastics and their manufactures, cars and their parts, pharmaceutical products and other chemical products.
Between January and November 2025, imports from Colombia reached USD 1,717 million, according to the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE).
“If Colombia makes the same decision, the products we export to Colombia will also increase in price in the same proportion,” explains Cevallos.
Among the most exported products from Ecuador to Colombia are canned tuna and other fish, vegetable oils and wooden boards. Exports to that market reached a value of USD 808.4 million, between January and November 2025.
The union representative adds that this decision by Ecuador will have a direct impact on the smuggling of products from Colombia. “The clandestine passages are going to have their August or December, taking into account the strong increase that there will now be in prices,” he adds.
Reaction of Colombian businessmen
The reaction of Colombian businessmen to Ecuador’s decision was immediate.
Bruce Mac Master, president of the National Association of Businessmen of Colombia (Andi), described as “deeply worrying” the decision of the Government of Ecuador to impose tariffs on Colombian products.
“The world is sufficiently convulsed that now at the regional level we are going to enter into tariff or trade restriction measures to solve problems that must be of the order or dimension of diplomacy,” said Mac Master in a video published on the social network X.
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