Colombian President Urges Tariff Relief Post-Earthquake

On Saturday, Colombia’s new President, Abelardo de la Espriella, urged President Trump to pause tariffs impacting the nation. Colombia is grappling with the aftermath of a severe earthquake. The U.S. tariffs, which increased from 10% to 12.5% in July, exempt products like coffee and oil.

De la Espriella shared his request on X, stating, “I asked him to consider suspending the high tariffs affecting Colombian products to aid business owners facing challenges after the earthquake.” The tariff hike started on July 24, following an expiring global duty from earlier in the year.

Following a 10-minute conversation with Trump, De la Espriella mentioned the U.S. president’s condolences for the earthquake victims. The Colombian leader described the discussion as “friendly and cordial.” He highlighted the daunting task ahead: “Rebuilding Colombia amid a challenging economic situation I inherited.” CBS News has reached out to the White House for comments regarding the request.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western cities like Cali and Pereira, leading to nearly 300 deaths and destroying about 13,000 homes. Debris filled the streets of Pereira, reflecting the quake’s devastating impact.

In July, the Trump administration imposed tariffs up to 12.5% on 60 countries, including Colombia, citing inadequate efforts to eliminate forced labor. These Section 301 tariffs replaced expired Section 122 levies imposed in February. A Supreme Court ruling earlier this year declared prior tariffs illegal due to a lack of congressional approval.

Trump’s endorsement of De la Espriella, a lawyer-turned-politician, supported a shift from Gustavo Petro’s leftist administration. Petro’s government often clashed with the White House and faced U.S. sanctions and investigations.

Since taking office, De la Espriella aligned Colombia with the “Shield of the Americas,” an anti-cartel group led by Trump. The coalition, including Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador, focuses on transnational crime. Additionally, De la Espriella aims to strengthen military ties with the U.S. and Israel to combat guerrillas.