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BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) \u2014 Colombia<\/a> announced Thursday that it will apply a 30% tax on a group of products from Ecuador and will suspend the sale of energy to that country, in response to a matching tariff announced the previous day by the government of Ecuadorian Daniel Noboa<\/a>.<\/p>\n The escalating trade dispute between the South American neighbors follows a public protest by Noboa regarding a more than $850 million trade deficit with Colombia. Noboa also cited a lack of reciprocity in securing their shared border, which remains a stronghold for criminal organizations and international drug trafficking.<\/p>\n The Colombian government expressed surprise at Ecuador\u2019s unilateral tariffs, noting that bilateral cooperation remains active through established binational mechanisms, including joint military and anti-narcotics operations.<\/p>\n From January to November 2024, Ecuadorian exports to Colombia totaled $760 million against $1.8 billion in imports, according to Ecuador’s ministry of production. Building on this trend, the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters reported that the trade deficit with Colombia reached $852 million during the same period in 2025.<\/p>\n The 30% tariff announced Thursday by Colombia covers 20 unspecified Ecuadorian products, with authorities noting \u201cthe possibility of extending the measure to a broader group.\u201d<\/p>\n Colombia’s ministry of commerce said that these specific exports represent approximately $250 million, highlighting the significant impact on bilateral trade conditions. However, Commerce Minister Diana Marcela Morales noted that the tariffs are temporary and remains open to a diplomatic, negotiated solution.<\/p>\n Business leaders in Colombia and Ecuador are warning of immediate economic fallout if their governments fail to resolve the current tariff dispute.<\/p>\n \u201cSince yesterday, member companies have been contacting us in a state of high concern,\u201d Oliva Diazgranados, executive director of the Bogot\u00e1-based Colombian-Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce, told The Associated Press. \u201cThis situation directly impacts corporate development and sales projections; it may even threaten jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Diazgranados said that while the business community is bearing the brunt of the tension, the root of the conflict lies with security agencies, not trade.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Colombia’s ministry of mines and energy announced an indefinite suspension of all international electricity sales to Ecuador. The ministry framed the move as a \u201cpreventive measure\u201d essential to safeguarding Colombia\u2019s own energy sovereignty and security.<\/p>\n The decision follows a sharp rebuke from Colombian Energy Minister Edwin Palma, who condemned Ecuador\u2019s tariffs as \u201ceconomic aggression\u201d that undermines regional integration.<\/p>\n Palma highlighted the irony of the current friction, noting that during Ecuador\u2019s severe energy crisis in late 2024<\/a>, Colombia consistently provided roughly 90% of its exportable power \u2014 totaling approximately 450 megawatts \u2014 to stabilize its neighbor\u2019s grid.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Follow AP\u2019s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/latin-america<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n