Colombian Ministers Issue Statement In Response To Trump Administration’s Unilateral Imposition of Tariffs

The Colombian foreign minister, along with the minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism issued the following statement this morning, which Finance Colombia has translated and reprinted in its entirety:

In view of the recent unilateral decision of the Government of the United States to impose a base tariff of 10% or higher, on all imports into its country, the Government of Colombia informs the country about the scope of this measure on our exports and about the actions that are being taken in response to it, with the aim of protecting the interests of our producers.

The United States has historically been a strategic trading partner for Colombia. In 2024, exports to that country reached US$14,336 million, which represented 28.9% of total Colombian exports worldwide.

Since the entry into force of the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) in 2012, these exports have consolidated a solid and constantly developing trade relationship that continues to benefit thousands of Colombian producers with preferential access to the U.S. market.

2024 exports to the United States, its largest trading partner reached $14.336 billion USD, 28.9% of total Colombia’s global exports.

In this sense, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and Foreign Affairs, together with other entities of the National Government, are leading a comprehensive strategy to expand and consolidate new destinations for our exports.

Thanks to the articulated work with the unions, the producers and our diplomatic representations, Colombian products have achieved a growing presence in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, thus strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the export sector.

The recent imposition of a base tariff of 10% should be taken as an opportunity to accelerate this internationalization strategy and consolidate the presence of Colombian products in more markets around the world.

“This unilateral measure reiterates the importance of continuing to strengthen our export capacity and reinforces the momentum with which we have been advancing in the market diversification strategy. Together with Colombian entrepreneurs, we will continue to expand destinations and products with technical, sustainable and value-added criteria that guarantee stability, competitiveness and well-being for Colombian producers,” said the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (e), Cielo Rusinque Urrego (at podium, above).

However, work will continue in coordination with the U.S. Government and the private sector to maintain and project the country’s exports into the future, identifying paths of dialogue and cooperation that contribute to mitigating the impacts on Colombian producers.

The Government of Colombia reiterates its commitment to international trade based on principles of openness and mutual benefit. Likewise, it will continue to strengthen internal capacities, together with producers, guilds and State entities, to expand the presence of Colombian products in the main international markets, promoting rural development, decent employment and the well-being of the regions.

Above photo: Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Cielo Rusnique (left) with Colombia’s Ambassador to the US, Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo. Photo & video courtesy of the Colombian government.