The deal contains four annexes:

• Trade facilitation and customs administration
• Good regulatory practices
• Anti-corruption
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

While in Ecuador last week, USTR officials and the Ecuador Ministry of Production, Trade, Investment and Fisheries also held meetings on a number of trade and investment-related issues, including environment, labor, trade in agriculture products, and cooperation on the challenges faced by SMEs.

Specifically on agriculture, the countries “agreed to maintain a constant dialogue in order to develop a road map to strengthen trade flows and contribute to the development of the new agricultural policy of Ecuador.” Enhanced access to Ecuador is among the National Pork Producers Council's (NPPC) top near-term export market priorities.

The country has a significant protein preference for pork and has been struggling with numerous swine diseases in its domestic herd. Unfortunately, tariff and non-tariff barriers significantly limit US pork exports to Ecuador.