Overview
- In a cabinet meeting in the border city of Ipiales, President Gustavo Petro said Colombia will not impose 100% tariffs on Ecuadorian goods and told President Daniel Noboa to remove Ecuador’s surcharge before talks.
- Petro’s comments contradicted earlier signals from his own Commerce Ministry that had prepared reciprocal tariff increases.
- Colombia is still stopping electricity sales to Ecuador, a cutoff that increases pressure as officials warn about power needs during a possible El Niño.
- Ecuador recently raised tariffs on Colombian imports to 100% over border-security complaints, and Noboa has said he does not expect Petro to change and may revisit ties only after elections.
- Colombian business groups warn a 100% levy would choke trade and hit auto, drug, and manufacturing hubs, pushing border families toward contraband routes and lost jobs.