Colombia’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has formally requested that United States President Donald Trump “temporarily suspend” trade tariffs currently imposed on his nation. The appeal comes as the country grapples with the aftermath of a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday, resulting in at least 294 deaths and widespread destruction of tens of thousands of buildings, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.
During a 10-minute discussion described by the Colombian leader as “very friendly and cordial,” de la Espriella emphasized the immense challenges facing his administration. He noted that he is working to rebuild the nation while navigating an “extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation” inherited upon taking office in early August. Finance Minister Miguel Gomez stated that the government is currently not considering tax hikes to secure the estimated $6.4bn required for recovery efforts.
The request for relief follows a late-July increase in US tariffs on Colombian goods, which rose from 10 percent to 12.5 percent, though key exports like oil and coffee remain largely exempt. The White House implemented these broader duties on most trading partners, citing alleged failures to enforce anti-forced labor standards, shortly after a legal setback regarding “Liberation Day” tariffs.
De la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer who secured a narrow victory over leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda in June with Trump’s endorsement, has moved quickly to align his administration with Washington. Since his inauguration, he has integrated Colombia into the “Shield of the Americas,” a Trump-led anti-cartel coalition involving several South American nations.
Beyond economic cooperation, the president has outlined plans to establish a military partnership with the United States and Israel. This initiative is intended to strengthen Colombia’s ongoing efforts to combat armed groups operating within the country, marking a significant shift in the nation’s security and foreign policy strategy.
Colombia’s Finance Minister Miguel Gomez said the government was not yet considering raising taxes to find the approximately $6.4bn needed for reconstruction, local media have reported.
