Minister Sidhu advances Canada’s trade priorities in Ecuador
News release
May 24, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade congratulated Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa on his election and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to expanding trade and investment between the two countries.
Together with his counterpart Luis Jaramillo, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, Minister Sidhu issued a joint statement marking the successful conclusion of substantive negotiations for the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the goal of bringing it into force as soon as possible.
This agreement is a concrete example of Canada’s efforts to diversify trade and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses. By reducing tariffs and other trade barriers, the Canada-Ecuador FTA will make it easier for Canadian companies to export to Ecuador, helping them grow and create jobs while benefiting workers and consumers in both countries.
The Minister also met with Ines Manzano, Minister of Energy and Mines, Roberto Luque, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Pablo Cevallos, National Secretary for Public Private Partnerships, to discuss opportunities for Canada and Ecuador to strengthen the investment environment and grow their economic partnership.
Minister Sidhu also took part in a roundtable with Canadian companies active in the mining, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors. He emphasized Canada’s support for businesses and responsible business practices, including protecting the environment, respecting workers’ rights and working with local communities.
Canada is supporting Ecuador in its efforts to enhance democratic and inclusive governance, combat crime and corruption, and protect the environment. To this end, Minister Sidhu announced a package of new international assistance initiatives totalling $26.22 million.
Quotes
“Canada is committed to building strong, sustainable trade partnerships that open doors for Canadian businesses and workers. This agreement with Ecuador will help create good jobs at home and support long-term, shared growth—especially in key sectors like clean energy, responsible mining, defence, infrastructure, and sustainable agri-food trade.”
- Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
Quick facts
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Minister Sidhu announced a package of new international assistance initiatives, including:
- Improving Access to Justice in Ecuador with the United Nations Development Programme (funding of $5 million over 5 years)
- PROGRESAR+ with Développement international Desjardins (funding of $16.7 million over 5 years)
- Technical Assistance Partnership - Indigenous justice initiative in Ecuador with the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada (funding of $200,000 over 1 year)
- Indigenous Clean Energy Renewable Energy Solidarity with Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise (funding of $320,000 over 2 years)
- DISRUPT with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Ecuador (funding of $4 million over 4 years)
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The trade relationship between Canada and Ecuador is highly complementary; Canada imports tropical fruits, flowers, cacao and seafood from Ecuador, while Ecuador buys wheat, lentils and peas from Canada
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Canada and Ecuador successfully concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement in January 2025. Each country is proceeding with its respective legislative process with the goal of bringing the agreement into force as soon as possible.
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With the entry into force of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement, Canada will have trade agreements with all the countries on the South American Pacific Coast.
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Contacts
Huzaif Qaisar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-575-8816
Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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