Following last week’s devastating earthquake, Ecuador’s President De la Espriella has appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for a temporary suspension of tariffs. The death toll has risen to 294 as of Saturday, with officials anticipating a significant increase as the search for missing persons continues. The tariff suspension is intended to facilitate the import of essential aid and reconstruction materials. President De la Espriella hopes the measure will ease Ecuador’s economic burden in the wake of the disaster. The earthquake has caused widespread damage and the country is grappling with a humanitarian crisis. International assistance is urgently needed to support rescue efforts and provide for the affected population. Authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide assistance to those impacted.