Ecuadorian roses could arrive in the United States without tariffs at the end of the year . This was indicated in a statement by the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries.
The possible tariff exemption for Ecuadorian roses goes to the second review
This is because at the moment, the northern country is analyzing the possibility of the product entering the Generalized System of Tariff Preferences (GSP). This year, twenty-five applications were added for this exemption , but only Ecuadorian roses have gone through to the second phase of this process. The ministry had also requested the review for artichoke, tuna in pouch and broccoli, during the visit of the national delegation to the US. at the beginning of the year, but have not yet been considered.
“The United States Government has been very strict in the review processes of the GSP applications and has limited the inclusion of new products in this system, so this preliminary decision to review the application of roses more deeply, is considered an important show of goodwill on the part of that country, ”states the document.
The review and consultation process would take place until next August and, if accepted, the product could be included in October. If accepted, this would mean that the sector would stop paying an average of $ 24 million annually in tariffs .
For the flower sector, strongly affected by the health emergency of COVID-19, this would mean a step towards the uprising of the industry. According to data from the union, it generates 40,000 direct jobs , and at least 55,000 indirect ones.
