Colombia Urges US to Suspend Tariffs as Nation Faces Devastating Earthquake Recovery

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella reported having a 'friendly and cordial' conversation with President Donald Trump, during which he requested a suspension of planned tariffs on the quake-stricken nation.

The newly elected Colombian president called on United States President Donald Trump to temporarily halt tariffs targeting South America, providing much-needed relief to business owners as the country reels from a deadly earthquake.

Following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, at least 294 people have died, while tens of thousands of buildings have suffered severe damage or total destruction, according to reports from Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.

With the US serving as Colombia’s primary export market, tariffs on Colombian goods increased from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in late July, though exemptions remained for key products like coffee and oil.

President de la Espriella characterized his 10-minute dialogue with President Trump as very friendly and cordial. He emphasized the immense challenge ahead in rebuilding the country while managing an exceptionally difficult and apocalyptic economic situation inherited upon taking office.

Colombia’s Finance Minister Miguel Gomez stated that the government is not currently evaluating tax increases to gather the estimated $6.4bn required for reconstruction efforts, local media sources indicate.

The White House previously announced renewed tariffs impacting nearly every US trading partner, including Colombia, citing failures to enforce anti-forced labour measures following a legal setback regarding Liberation Day tariffs.

During the recent presidential race concluding in a narrow victory over leftist Ivan Cepeda in June, President Trump endorsed right-wing millionaire lawyer-turned-politician de la Espriella.

Since assuming office in early August, President de la Espriella aligned the nation with the "Shield of the Americas", an anti-cartel coalition led by President Trump and comprising various South American countries. Furthermore, the Colombian leader announced intentions to establish a military alliance alongside the US and Israel to address the ongoing internal conflict involving armed groups.