Estudio de la suscripción del Tratado de Libre Comercio entre Ecuador y China: Expectativas para el Comercio Exterior Ecuatoriano

Abstract

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) serve as policy instruments, allowing countries to access markets with adequate levels of competition, promoting employment, productive revival, specialization and long-term economic growth. These agreements promote the flow of higher quality goods, increase foreign investment, stabilize world trade, increase the income of importing and exporting companies, and are implemented as stipulated by international law. For this reason, the objective of this article focuses on studying the implications of the Free Trade Agreement signed between Ecuador and China, as well as the expectations of its validity for Ecuadorian foreign trade, particularly with regard to the application of phytosanitary measures on imports of products of plant origin. Translated with DeepL.com (free version). Therefore, a qualitative approach was used to analyses the possible effects of this agreement on Ecuadorian foreign trade. A survey was carried out with experts in economics and foreign trade, as well as with companies in the Ecuadorian export industry, in order to ascertain the opinions and analyses of these experts and businessmen, with the aim of identifying possible opportunities and challenges that may arise as a result of this agreement. In conclusion, it was found that although the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Ecuador and China provides the opportunity to increase Ecuadorian exports, it also brings with it phytosanitary problems that must be managed effectively and cooperatively, therefore to protect the interests of both nations, the FTA includes provisions to ensure the protection of the environment, resources, human health and animal life, as well as to guarantee the sustainability of Ecuador's exports of plant products.