WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for the Americas Neil Herrington issued the following statement today welcoming news that the U.S. and Ecuadorian governments signed the bilateral Protocol on Trade Rules and Transparency:
“We applaud the U.S.-Ecuador Protocol on Trade Rules and Transparency announced today and the two governments’ commitment to foster rules-based trade and investment. These new commitments on trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, anti-corruption, and small and medium-sized enterprises will spur growth and jobs as we recover from the pandemic.
“Today’s agreement is a recognition of the progress made by the government of Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno to advance its reform-oriented agenda, build closer ties with the United States, and reintegrate the country into the global economic system.
“This agreement is an important first step, but significant work remains to be done by both countries towards the long-term goal of a comprehensive, high-standard trade deal, which should cover a broad range of important trade disciplines, including strengthening investor and intellectual property protections, fostering digital trade, and combating non-tariff barriers to trade.
“The Chamber’s Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America looks forward to working with our partners at the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce in Guayaquil, the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce in Quito, and both governments to ensure the effective implementation of the trade agreement and support continued efforts to build a stronger U.S.-Ecuador commercial partnership that contributes to economic growth and job creation in both countries.”
