Ecuador renounces US trade preference 'blackmail'
Source: Agencies |
June 28, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
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ECUADOR is renouncing hundreds of millions of dollars in trade preference up for renewal by the US Congress, it said yesterday.
The announcement by Communications Minister Fernando Alvarez comes as Ecuador faces US pressure to avoid granting asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Alvarez told reporters the trade deal had become "a new instrument of blackmail."
"In consequence, Ecuador unilaterally and irrevocably renounces said preferences."
Alvarez said his country "does not accept threats from anybody, and does not trade in principles, or submit to mercantile interests, as important as they may be."
Ecuador had been lobbying for continuation of trade preferences on products such as cut flowers, artichokes and broccoli. Nearly half Ecuador's foreign trade depends on the US.
The announcement by Communications Minister Fernando Alvarez comes as Ecuador faces US pressure to avoid granting asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Alvarez told reporters the trade deal had become "a new instrument of blackmail."
"In consequence, Ecuador unilaterally and irrevocably renounces said preferences."
Alvarez said his country "does not accept threats from anybody, and does not trade in principles, or submit to mercantile interests, as important as they may be."
Ecuador had been lobbying for continuation of trade preferences on products such as cut flowers, artichokes and broccoli. Nearly half Ecuador's foreign trade depends on the US.
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