# Ecuador‑Colombia tariff dispute and rice trade > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-faces-mounting-trade-disputes-and-calls-for-policy-reassessment > Updated: 2026-07-31T12:42:51.000Z. Sources: 132. Developments: 14. In January 2026 Ecuador imposed 30‑50 % tariffs on Colombian imports, prompting matching Colombian duties and a sharp fall in bilateral trade – an estimated US$340 million loss and about 200,000 jobs at risk. The Andean Community (CAN) intervened, issuing resolutions on 7 May that ordered both governments to withdraw the measures within ten business days, with a deadline of 21 May. Ecuador defended its 100 % “security tax” and prepared a formal response to CAN, while Colombia signalled willingness to lift its 35‑75 % tariffs if Ecuador complied. Ecuador reduced the security tax to 75 % on 1 June and, later that day, eliminated the 100 % duty altogether, citing CAN rulings and ongoing negotiations. Colombian trade groups welcomed the move and urged Bogotá to remove its own 30 % tariffs, which it did on 5 June through Decree 0583, while retaining limited restrictions on some goods and planning a 45‑day transition for rice imports. Despite the tariff removals, Ecuador’s exports to Colombia remained 20 % lower and imports 40 % down, with the logistics corridor at Rumichaca operating at about 20 trucks per day versus 120 pre‑dispute. Export composition shifted as cocoa collapsed and aquaculture grew. The dispute’s legacy continued to shape border commerce. On 31 July 2026 Ecuador announced a deal to ship 30,000 t of rice to Colombia, with permits processed for the Rumichaca crossing. The first week after the August 3 announcement saw roughly 2,000 t of rice cross the frontier, and industry expects total shipments could exceed 50,000 t for the year, contingent on ongoing bilateral talks. Overall, the sequence of CAN‑mandated deadlines, partial tariff reductions, full removals, and the resumption of rice exports illustrates a gradual de‑escalation of the tariff war, though full normalization remains dependent on reciprocal actions and political developments. ## Claims - Ecuador negotiated export of 30,000 metric tons of rice to Colombia. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The first rice shipments were scheduled to begin the day after the announcement. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Import permits for Ecuadorian rice are being issued for the Rumichaca crossing. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The export is seen as a positive signal for the recovery of Ecuador's rice exports to Colombia. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Oscar Obando is president of the Border Workers Union and commented on the rice import and transport situation at Rumichapa. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Around 60,000 tons of rice move annually through the Rumichapa border. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Approximately 2,000 tractor‑trailers transport rice across the Rumichapa border each year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Border Workers Union is analyzing the impact of the rice import and transport situation. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Ecuador Resumes Rice Exports to Colombia via Rumichaca Border Ecuador will export 30,000 t of rice to Colombia via Rumichaca, with permits being issued; union leader Oscar Obando says the move boosts trade and involves about 60,000 t of annual flow and 2,000 trucks. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-resumes-rice-exports-to-colombia-via-rumichaca-border ### 2026-07-23: Colombia-Ecuador traders warn of rice imports and Rumichaca bridge restrictions Border union leader Oscar Obando warns that Ecuadorian rice imports and halted cargo transshipment at Rumichaca bridge threaten Colombia‑Ecuador trade, urging joint action. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-ecuador-traders-warn-of-rice-imports-and-rumichaca-bridge-restrictions ### 2026-07-17: Colombia‑Ecuador border slowdown costs 18,000 jobs and $320 million Trade along the Colombia‑Ecuador land corridor fell sharply, cutting 18,000 jobs and $320 million in export competitiveness; officials call for joint border governance to reverse the decline. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombiaecuador-border-slowdown-costs-18000-jobs-and-320-million ### 2026-07-12: Ecuador imposes 100% tariff on Colombian goods, threatening Nariño border economy Ecuador's 100% tariff on Colombian goods threatens Nariño's border trade, risking jobs and poverty, with no clear response from Colombian authorities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-imposes-100-tariff-on-colombian-goods-threatening-nario-border-economy ### 2026-07-03: Ecuador and Colombia impose retaliatory tariffs, sparking trade war Ecuador imposed 30‑50% tariffs on Colombian imports; Colombia retaliated with similar duties, disrupting trade and causing about $340 million in losses and 200,000 jobs at risk in each country. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-and-colombia-impose-retaliatory-tariffs-sparking-trade-war ### 2026-06-11: Ecuador’s tariff cut and export decline strain border trade and producers Ecuador lifted tariffs on Colombian goods but faces Colombian retaliation, hurting border towns, while its non‑oil exports fell 4% in early 2026, led by a cacao slump despite shrimp growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuadors-tariff-cut-and-export-decline-strain-border-trade-and-producers ### 2026-06-09: Colombia lifts 30% tariffs on Ecuadorian goods, restoring bilateral trade Colombia has revoked a 30% tariff on Ecuadorian imports via Decree 0583, ending reciprocal duties and easing bilateral trade after Ecuador removed its own tariffs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-lifts-30-tariffs-on-ecuadorian-goods-restoring-bilateral-trade ### 2026-06-06: Ecuador ends tariffs on Colombian imports, restoring trade Ecuador removed all tariffs on Colombian imports on June 1, unlocking about $170 million a year in industrial exports and reviving bilateral trade. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-ends-tariffs-on-colombian-imports-restoring-trade ### 2026-06-02: Ecuador hopes Colombia will lift tariffs after trade dispute Ecuador seeks Colombia’s removal of retaliatory tariffs after a trade spat that cut exports by 20% and halted border traffic, with estimated losses of $400 million. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-hopes-colombia-will-lift-tariffs-after-trade-dispute ### 2026-05-31: Ecuador lifts 100% tariff on Colombian goods, seeks trade normalization Ecuador removed the 100% tariff on Colombian imports on 1 June 2026, aiming to revive trade after a months‑long dispute; businesses await Colombia’s reciprocal action and full border reopening. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-lifts-100-tariff-on-colombian-imports-trade-to-resume ### 2026-05-26: Ecuador keeps 100% tariffs on Colombia, set to ease to 75% on June 1 Ecuador kept 100% tariffs on Colombian goods, planning a cut to 75% on June 1, after a missed 21 May deadline, prompting border merchants to warn of $400 million losses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-keeps-100-tariffs-on-colombia-set-to-ease-to-75-on-june-1 ### 2026-05-21: Ecuador readies CAN response on Colombia border tariff dispute Ecuador will file a CAN document defending its border “security fee” on Colombian goods before the May 21 deadline, as the dispute threatens thousands of logistics workers and trade in Tulcán and Ipiales. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-readies-can-response-on-colombia-border-tariff-dispute ### 2026-05-16: Colombia and Ecuador urged to end border tariff war after Andean Community deadline Nariño trade groups demand Colombia and Ecuador lift tariffs after CAN deadline, affecting 4,000+ border families. 51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-and-ecuador-urged-to-end-border-tariff-war-after-andean-community-deadline ### 2026-05-13: Andean Community sets deadline to end Ecuador‑Colombia tariff war CAN gives Ecuador and Colombia until May 21 to lift tariffs after exports plunge 46%, threatening trade suspension. 67 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andean-community-sets-deadline-to-end-ecuadorcolombia-tariff-war --- Cite as: Ecuador‑Colombia tariff dispute and rice trade. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-faces-mounting-trade-disputes-and-calls-for-policy-reassessment