Guilds ask not to sing victory and alert about market distortions.
News Colombia.
In a global scenario of growing commercial volatility, where the United States has implemented new tariff measures that impact various nations, Colombia emerges with a position that, although not ideal, is Comparatively advantageous With respect to other countries.
Despite the uncertainty and initial confusionit has been confirmed that Colombia will maintain a 10 % tariff For their products that enter the US market, a rate in force from the April 2, 2025. While nations such as Brazil, Mexico or Vietnam face rates that ascend to the 25 % and even 50 %Colombia breathes, but not without reservations.
The information was confirmed by Blu Radio, which compiled the voices of several union leaders and economic analysts, who agreed that The situation requires diplomatic agility, but also strategic caution.
A relief, but not a triumph
From the coffee sector, one of the most sensitive to any change in the relationship with the United States, the manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, Germán Bahamónhe was prudent:
“We do not want at this time or regret or call for victory, because there is a distortion in the market,” he told Blu Radio.
The reason is clear: The United States is the main Colombian coffee buyerabsorbing 40 % of production. Although Brazil – the world’s largest producer – currently faces a 50 %tariff, this comparative advantage could be temporary if bilateral agreements change.
Bahamón also warned about the triangulation risks and the difficulty of immediately redirect export flows to new markets:
“What will happen when Brazil achieves a rate similar to Colombia?”
Exporters: Between relief and sinsabor
Javier Díaz MolinaPresident of Analdexalso intervened to clarify the initial confusion, originated by the “little lucky writing” of the Executive Order of the White House, which was initially interpreted as an increase to 20 %. While the panorama stabilized, the message remains uncomfortable:
“We are satisfied. How will things be in the world that we are satisfied with a Dan when we should have 0 %?” He told Blu Radio.
And is that the Free Trade Agreement with the United States —In theory – it should guarantee a total exemption of tariffs for many products, but the current reality moves away from that ideal. Díaz said this will undoubtedly be “renegotiation issue.”
Amcham Colombia: The opportunity is, but you have to run
María Claudia LacouturePresident of Amcham Colombiaoffered a more structured analysis. For her, maintaining 10 % is not a success, but a sign that The historical relationship between the two countries still has solid bases.
“We cannot stay still, we must continue in the negotiation process,” he said.
Lacouture recalled that Colombia today has the lowest tariff compared to other export economies to the US.which limits the negative impact for 82.7 % of the national export basket. However, he warned that international competition forces Move quickly and with strategy.
Since 2018, Amcham has identified 144 Colombian products with comparative advantage over China in the US market. Of these, 39 have grown by 23 %, while China decreases 9 % in the same items. These opportunities are in minerals, plastics, chemicals, food, textiles and clothing.
“Procolombia must be much more proactive and aggressive in the promotion of these products,” Lacouture concluded in an interview with Blu Radio.
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