Ecuador’s President Announces Tariffs on Mexico, Border Closure Ahead of Election

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has announced a 27-percent tariff on imports from Mexico and the temporary closure of the nation’s borders, Al Jazeera reports.

Noboa justified the import tariff by stating his commitment to free trade with Mexico, but only when there is no “abuse.”

“We confirm our position of signing a free trade agreement with Mexico,” he wrote. “But, until that happens and becomes a reality, we will apply a 27% tariff to the products we import, with the objective of promoting our industry and ensuring fair treatment for our producers.”

The border closure, slated to last from Saturday, February 8 to Monday, February 10, was attributed to unspecified threats from armed groups aiming to destabilize the country. Noboa also announced a push to “immediately militarize” Ecuador’s ports and reinforce the military presence along the country’s borders.

The timing of these announcements has raised eyebrows, coming as Noboa faces a tight re-election bid against Luisa Gonzalez of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Movement. The election is scheduled for this Sunday.

Critics have drawn parallels between Noboa’s policies and those of US President Donald Trump, particularly in their shared focus on tariffs and border security. Like Trump, who imposed (and subsequently paused) tariffs on Mexican goods to leverage border security and protect US industries, Noboa cited the need to promote Ecuadorian industry and ensure fair treatment for producers.

The relationship between Ecuador and Mexico has been strained in recent years, culminating in a rupture of diplomatic ties last year. The breakdown followed a controversial raid by Ecuadorian police on the Mexican Embassy in Quito, during which a former Ecuadorian president, granted asylum by Mexico and accused of corruption, was arrested. The raid was widely condemned by international law experts and regional governments.

In a contrasting announcement, Noboa also revealed that Ecuador had successfully concluded a free trade agreement with Canada.

The election this Sunday is expected to be closely contested. Polling averages currently show Noboa leading with approximately 38 percent of the vote, followed by Gonzalez with 32 percent. A victory with less than 50% of the vote would force Noboa into a run-off election against Gonzalez in April.

Noboa, the heir to a banana industry fortune, is seeking a full four-year term after taking office as president in November 2023. He won a snap election to fill the remainder of the term of former President Guillermo Lasso, who dissolved his government using the “muerte cruzada” constitutional mechanism.

Despite campaigning on a platform of law and order, Noboa has struggled to curb escalating violence from criminal groups. Additionally, a severe drought has triggered an energy crisis due to Ecuador’s reliance on hydroelectric power, leading to widespread rolling blackouts and public frustration.