“Our productive sector also deserves respect. We are going to take care of it. Those are the president’s instructions and we want the rules to be equal for both parties.” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Molt\u00f3 highlighted a critical point about domestic producers. During the pandemic these farmers and manufacturers proved their capacity to guarantee food supply across Panama. That demonstration of reliability changed the government’s approach. “It is a sector that during the pandemic showed us they were present and they are present growing, exporting and we are definitely going to continue supporting them because that is what is appropriate,” Molt\u00f3 said. [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n
![\"costa](\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/costa-rica-panama-deflation-1152x768-1.webp\")
<\/p>\n
Roots of the Trade Conflict<\/h2>\n
The current tensions trace back to a specific decision by Costa Rica. That nation suspended sanitary certifications for food exports<\/a> from several Panamanian plants. These facilities operated in the meat, dairy and poultry sectors. They had exported products to Costa Rica for decades without interruption.<\/p>\n Panama responded immediately with reciprocal restrictions. The government applied similar measures to Costa Rican plants exporting dairy, meat and agricultural products. Panama cited sanitary criteria and the need to protect national production as justification for these actions.<\/p>\n This is not a new problem created by either current administration. Molt\u00f3 acknowledged that the commercial situation did not originate under the present governments of either country. “There are many Panamanian plants that were selling to Costa Rica for decades and at this moment they cannot do it,” he noted. [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n The case remains unresolved. Panama did not accept a previous ruling and filed an appeal. No final resolution has been reached in the ongoing Panama-Costa Rica trade dispute<\/a>.<\/p>\n Molt\u00f3 expressed optimism about finding solutions through conversation. “I do believe that as a government we have the capacity to solve things, always taking care of our productive sectors,” he indicated. [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n![\"Costa](\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/costa-rica-president-laura-fernandez-800x533-1.webp\")
Dialogue Remains Possible<\/h2>\n