Colombian Commerce Minister Meets With US Trade Representative

Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Cielo Rusinque Urrego, accompanied by the Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Daniel García-Peña, held a meeting with the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, with whom she discussed the recent tariff measures that that country imposed and that affect Colombian export products to that market.

The meeting revolved around the 25% tariff applied to steel and aluminum and to manufactures made with these inputs; as well as the general tariff of 10% that affects exports of flowers, coffee, bananas, avocados, and clothing, among other products.

The senior officials referred to seeking mutually beneficial agreements that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two countries. Colombia insisted on making progress in the sanitary admissibility of passion fruit, beef, and chicken, as well as the improvement of conditions for avocados and blueberries.

During the meeting, the minister expressed Colombia’s interest in exporting cannabis for medicinal and industrial uses to the United States, indicating that Colombia is closely following the process that the US authorities are carrying out to reclassify it in their internal regulations, facilitating scientific research for the benefit of public health and in line with the policies of Colombia’s government for the substitution of illicit crops.

Likewise, the visit to Bogotá of Daniel Watson, Deputy Representative for the Western Hemisphere of the Office of the Trade Representative, on April 29 and 30, was confirmed, to continue advancing in this dialogue initiated by the minister.

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism said in a statement that its economic and trade policy will continue to be oriented towards reindustrialization, diversification of exportable supply and markets, and the protection of national interests.

Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Cielo Rusinque Urrego, and Ambassador Daniel García-Peña meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss tariffs on Colombian exports. Photo credit: Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Colombia’s Commerce Minister meets US officials to address new tariffs on Colombian exports: Photo credit: Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.