Colombia Views U.S. Protectionism as an Opportunity for Internationalization
Colombian flowers. X/ @elespectador
April 3, 2025 Hour: 10:21 am
The Commerce Ministry is leading a comprehensive strategy to consolidate new destinations for Colombian exports.
On Thursday, the Colombian government stated that the 10% tariff on the country’s products announced by U.S. President Donald Trump should be seen as an opportunity to internationalize its exports.
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“The recent imposition of a base tariff of 10% should be seen as an opportunity to accelerate this internationalization strategy and consolidate the presence of our products in more markets around the world,” the Colombian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Commerce Ministry said in a joint statement.
However, the document added that they will continue “working in coordination with the U.S. government and the private sector to maintain and project our exports into the future, identifying paths for dialogue and cooperation that help mitigate the impacts on our producers.”
According to the tariff package announced yesterday by Trump, starting April 5, the United States will impose a 10% tariff on products imported from Colombia and most Latin American countries, the lowest of all the tariffs announced.
On Wednesday, Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia stated that Trump’s tariffs have a global scope and are not directed exclusively at Colombia or the government of President Gustavo Petro.
Colombia recalled that since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in May 2012, these exports “have solidified a strong and constantly developing trade relationship that continues to benefit thousands of Colombian producers with preferential access to the U.S. market.”
In this regard, the Commerce Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, along with other national government entities, are leading a comprehensive strategy to expand and consolidate new destinations for Colombian exports.
Additionally, they stated that thanks to coordinated efforts with trade associations, producers, and their diplomatic representations, Colombian products have achieved a growing presence in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, “enhancing competitiveness.”
According to data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the trade balance with Colombia in 2024 was $36.7 billion. The U.S. exported $19 billion in goods to Colombia, a 7.7% increase from 2023, while importing $17.7 billion in goods from the Andean country, a 9.8% increase compared to the previous year. The U.S. trade surplus in goods with Colombia was $1.3 billion in 2024, a decrease of 13.9% ($218 million) compared to 2023.
Colombia’s top exports to the U.S. include oil, gold, unroasted coffee, flowers, and doors and windows, while its main imports from the U.S. are machinery, petroleum-derived products, chemicals, and vehicles.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
