Readout of Ambassador Katherine Tai’s Meeting with Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries Sonsoles García

QUITO - United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with Ecuador's Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries Sonsoles García yesterday, ahead of the first in-person Trade Ministerial of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (Americas Partnership). The Ministers were joined by senior members of their teams, including U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip and Ecuador's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Franklin Danilo Palacios.

Ambassador Tai thanked Ecuador for its leadership in the Americas Partnership, including work to advance shared priorities such as environmental sustainability, labor rights, and inclusive trade. Countries of the Americas Partnership are working together to expand economic opportunities in the region and bolster supply chain resiliency.

Ambassador Tai and Minister García discussed the robust agenda under the U.S.-Ecuador Trade and Investment Council (TIC), including the July 30 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Dialogue and proposed work by TIC committees focused on trade and labor, trade and environment, and fair trade.

They also discussed the agriculture sector, including food security, sustainability, and market access opportunities to deepen the trade relationship.

Background

The Trade and Investment Council between Ecuador and United States was established in 1990 and updated in 2021 with the Protocol on Trade Rules and Transparency, which includes high-standard provisions on Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation, Good Regulatory Practices, Anticorruption, and cooperation among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. In April 2024, three committees were established under the TIC on labor, environment, and fair trade.

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