Colombia seeks to eliminate U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced a government initiative to negotiate the removal of additional United States tariffs affecting Colombian exports. During a visit to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, the President emphasized that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations should provide effective commercial advantages, questioning the current application of levies on the total value of products without distinguishing between FTA partners and non-partners.

A primary concern is the Section 232 tariffs applied to steel and aluminum. De la Espriella noted that while U.S.-origin materials face a 10% tariff, products from other countries can face rates as high as 50%. He stated that the administration's goal is not merely to address a 12.5% tariff but to achieve “zero additional tariffs” for Colombian products to correct what he described as a grave economic imbalance.

The President has tasked Minister of Commerce Mauricio Gómez with leading these negotiations, setting a deadline of December 2027. Beyond steel and aluminum, the administration aims to diversify the national economy by reducing dependence on oil and gas exports and increasing the sale of manufactured goods, agro-industry products, pharmaceuticals, and high-value services internationally.