Colombia's President de la Espriella requests Trump to suspend tariffs after earthquake

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs on Colombian goods as the country grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The request came during a phone call on Saturday, just days after a 7.4-magnitude quake struck Colombia, leading to at least 294 fatalities and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.

The timing of this appeal is critical. The earthquake has left Colombia in a dire economic situation, with tens of thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed. President de la Espriella emphasized the need for relief for business owners to aid in the recovery process. U.S. tariffs on Colombian products had recently increased from 10 percent to 12.5 percent, impacting the country’s economy further. The U.S. remains Colombia’s largest export market, making the suspension of these tariffs a significant factor in the nation’s recovery efforts.

In his conversation with Trump, de la Espriella described the exchange as “very friendly and cordial.” He reiterated the immense challenge of rebuilding the country amid the current crisis. Colombia’s Finance Minister Miguel Gomez has indicated that the government is not considering raising taxes to cover the estimated $6.4 billion needed for reconstruction, suggesting that external help, including tariff relief, might be essential for recovery.

De la Espriella, who took office in August, has aligned closely with Trump, supporting initiatives like the “Shield of the Americas” aimed at combating drug cartels and promoting military collaboration with the U.S. and Israel. As Colombia faces this critical moment, the response from the U.S. could significantly impact the nation’s ability to recover and rebuild effectively.