The exchange of comments between the presidents of the United States and Colombia, accompanied by threats of financial cuts, set off alarms among political and business representativeswho view with concern the possible measures announced from Washington.
(Read: Petro assures that FTA is ‘de facto suspended by unilateral decision of the US.’).
Given this concern, Senator Paloma Valencia, an opponent of the Petro Government, invited the nation’s political forces to an alliance “to prevent the destruction of the national economy with a serious impact on employment, exports and economic growth”.
According to the Senator, President Petro has sought by all means to break relations with the United States. and pointed him out as responsible for everything that is happening.
(See: Foreign Ministry calls Colombian ambassador to the US for consultations).
“This is not a matter of personal or national pride or ideologies; it is a matter of State. Colombia needs moral authority and strategic clarity to confront drug trafficking and regain its international respect and we must all seek to defend the country and its economy,” Valencia added.
For his part, Jaime Alberto Cabal, president of Fenalco, a union that brings together the country’s merchants, indicated that with this new impasse There is concern that agricultural exports will be affected
Colombians, since Colombia has a positive trade balance.
“Foreign policy must put the country’s interests above ideological affinities or political situations. The tariff decisions announced by Washington will have disastrous effects on the national economy and a strong impact directly on job creation,” Cabal indicated.
“The United States is currently the main destination of our non-mining-energy exports, representing close to 30% of the total. Products such as flowers, coffee, bananas and cocoa have consolidated their presence in that market, generating a surplus of more than 1.5 billion dollars annually”added the spokesperson for the merchants.
The relationship has been maintained, especially due to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is now 12 years old.
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(Here: Petro Government has gone into debt almost 17 times the IMF credit, warns former minister).
Likewise, the president of Fenalco warned that if Colombia decides in response to raise tariffs on products originating from the United States, a violation of the Free Trade Agreement would be incurred, with even more serious inflationary consequences.
He highlighted that essential consumer goods such as machinery, medicines and technology would become considerably more expensive, affecting both Colombian companies and households.
“We call for prioritizing diplomatic and commercial dialogue with the United States, seeking to preserve bilateral agreements that guarantee stability, employment and economic development for the country. Foreign policy must put the country’s interests above ideological affinities or political situations,” Cabal Sanclemente concluded.
‘Trump doesn’t play’
For his part, US Senator Lindsey Graham said that after a meeting with Trump, he informed him that he is going to hit Colombia, not only its drug traffickers, but also where it hurts most: in the pocket.
“He will announce important tariffs against Colombia”said Graham, who also added that “President Trump is tougher than any other president in our history”.
According to Lindsey Graham, when it comes to protecting the United States, Trump doesn’t play games.
PORTFOLIO
