Ecuador and Canada sign free trade deal
Meat and dairy among 227 protected agricultural products
Ecuador and Canada signed a free trade agreement on Friday, Reuters reported, citing Ecuador's government. The deal will allow 99.6% of its exportable goods to enter Canada duty-free once it takes effect.
The agreement covers trade in goods and services, investment, e-commerce, labor, environmental issues, Indigenous peoples and dispute resolution.
More than 600 Ecuadorian products will gain tariff-free access, including bananas, cacao, shrimp, tropical fruits and vegetables.
The deal gives preferential access to sectors including flowers, tuna preparations, textiles, footwear and cosmetics.
It excludes or protects 227 sensitive agricultural products, including rice, corn, milk, meat and sugar.
Ecuador said the deal matches terms already achieved by regional competitors Colombia and Peru.