Colombia seeks tariff suspension for earthquake reconstruction amid rising US trade barriers
The White House recently imposed renewed tariffs citing labour concerns, complicating Bogota’s efforts to fund post-seismic recovery without increasing domestic taxes.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has formally requested that US President Donald Trump temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods to assist with post-earthquake reconstruction. The diplomatic appeal comes in the wake of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday that killed at least 294 people and caused billions of dollars in damage across the country.
The request highlights a significant policy tension, as US tariffs on Colombian products recently increased from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in late July. The United States remains Colombia’s top export market, making the trade relationship critical for the nation’s economic stability. The Colombian government estimates that reconstruction costs will reach approximately $6.4bn.
During a 10-minute conversation with President Trump, de la Espriella described the exchange as “very friendly and cordial”. He outlined the scale of the challenge, stating he inherited an “extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation” and sought tariff relief to support business owners during the rebuilding phase.
Despite the financial pressure, Finance Minister Miguel Gomez confirmed that the government is not currently considering raising taxes to cover the reconstruction expenses. This decision follows a recent legal defeat regarding “Liberation Day” tariffs and coincides with the White House announcing renewed tariffs targeting nearly all US trading partners, including Colombia, based on alleged failures to uphold anti-forced labour measures.
The political context of this request is shaped by the recent transition of power. Trump had endorsed de la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer-turned-politician, during his presidential campaign, which ended in a close victory over leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda in June. De la Espriella took office in early August and has since joined the “Shield of the Americas”, an anti-cartel alliance headed by Trump. He has also indicated plans to forge a military alliance with the US and Israel to bolster the country’s conflict with armed groups.
