Colombia's government is preparing to impose 50% tariffs on hundreds of goods from Ecuador, escalating a trade dispute between the neighboring countries. The trade ministry published a draft decree Monday raising duties on around 300 products from the current 30% levy. The measure still requires publication in the official gazette to take effect.

This retaliatory action follows Ecuador's announcement that it would increase tariffs on Colombian imports to 50% starting March 1. Ecuador justified the move by citing Colombia's failure to implement effective border security measures. Colombia's government argues that Ecuador's tariff increase makes exports to the country economically unviable, with officials estimating that imports from Ecuador could fall by 75%, or $640 million, while Colombian exports might drop by 79%, or $1.5 billion.

The crisis began in January when Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, an ally of US President Donald Trump, announced the tariffs. Noboa alleged that the leftist administration of Colombian President Gustavo Petro had failed to cooperate on border security and control criminal gangs trafficking cocaine across the shared frontier. In 2025, Colombia exported $1.8 billion to its neighbor, according to national statistics.