Overview
- President Abelardo de la Espriella said he spoke for about ten minutes with President Donald Trump on Aug. 15 and asked that the U.S. temporarily suspend tariffs hurting Colombian exporters to give relief to businesses after the quake.
- The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday, Aug. 10, killed hundreds and destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes, creating an estimated $6.4 billion rebuilding need.
- U.S. tariffs on many Colombian goods were raised from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on July 24 under Section 301 of the Trade Act, a measure the White House said addresses forced-labour enforcement gaps.
- Washington has sent disaster experts and about $26.5 million in immediate aid but has not publicly lifted or suspended the tariffs de la Espriella requested.
- De la Espriella’s appeal is enabled by a recent political realignment toward the U.S., including joining the Shield of the Americas, which gives Bogotá a direct diplomatic channel to press for trade relief as it weighs how to fund reconstruction.