The United States must extend tariff preferences to Ecuador under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) which ends on Dec. 31, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin said on Friday.

Although trade tariffs are not part of the defense ministry's ambit, they are related because the trade law reflects Ecuador's efforts in fighting drug trafficking, the minister told Radio Quito.

The United States must correlate its policies on defense, trade and foreign affairs in dealing with its relations with Ecuador, Jarrin said.

Ecuador is making "great efforts" in positioning 7,000 soldiers to guard its borders with Colombia, he said, noting that the Colombian rebels conduct cocaine trafficking on the border.

"We do not have a coherent situation with respect to Ecuador's efforts and the aid we need to receive from the United States," Jarrin said.

Ecuador might lose 1 billion U.S. dollars in exports and a minimum of 400,000 direct and indirect jobs if the ATPDEA comes to an end.

Andean countries Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia have benefited from the program for 15 years.

Colombia, Ecuador and Peru began negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United States in 2004, hoping to replace the provision with a permanent agreement.

Source: Xinhua