Four Ecuadorean products await to enter the United States without tariffs

Amid debts with the export sector, Ecuador seeks to annex broccoli, tuna, flowers and artichokes to the list of 400 subheadings of products entering without tariffs to the United States through the benefits of the General System of Preferences (GSP).

The last renewal of that system was in 2015 in an Extension Act proclaimed by President Barack Obama, that extended the benefit until December 31, 2017.

Juan Carlos Cassinelli, Minister of Foreign Trade, said that in late July he requested John Melle, Office of the United States Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere (USTR), that these products are included.

A decision of Obama is expected in December, he said.

From January to March this year, according to the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), broccoli and flowers show a growth in sales to the US, but this is not the case of canned tuna.

Carlos Zaldumbide, manager of the exporting company of broccoli Provefrut, expects the entry of products to the GSP, as he described the situation in the sector as critical. This is because 45% of its exports do not pay a customs duty of 14.9%.