Costa Rica and Panama are locked in an industrial dispute over the industrial blockade imposed by Panamanians on Costa Rican food products.
Therefore, as announced through the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, Costa Rica will impose taxes on Panamanian goods that enter the national territory duty-free in retaliation.
“We have before the World Trade Organization (WTO). We persecuted them,” Tovar said.
In addition, Tovar discussed that there was a lack of political will on the part of the Panamanian government for the dispute in intelligent terms.
“We are in the final stages of defining a retaliatory measure; we are through foreign law to sanction Panama and impose import taxes on products entering the country,” he added.
Costa Rica argues that Panama’s decisions restricting imports have no clinical basis and that there would be no justification for renewing the import authorization.
“Panama is a systematic manifestation of protectionism,” Tovar said.
Quick reaction from Panama. Commerce Minister Federico Alfaro said they are committed to dialogue and international relations in light of the dispute with Costa Rica over those imports.
Alfaro confirmed, via Twitter, that there is an ongoing procedure before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and that both countries have identified the competence of the foreign establishment for disputes.
The governments of Costa Rica and Panama met last July to end the restrictions. However, the negotiations failed once again.
“Costa Rica and Panama were and will have to be peacebuilders. Today, and at all times from Panama, discussion and respect will be the way,” said the representative of the Panamanian Government.
The management of Carlos Alvarado filed this judicial process in 2021. Rodrigo Chaves, president of the Republic, said that his government will insist on the trial against the neighboring country to the industrial blockade.
Bilateral relations between Costa Rica and Panama have been positive and cordial. Both sought to maintain friendship and seek cooperation. Therefore, they are interested in the scenario and reaching an agreement. Bilateral relations between Costa Rica and Panama have been positive and cordial. . Both sought to maintain friendship and seek cooperation.
Therefore, it is in your interest to stage and achieve an agreement.