Colombia's president Abelardo de la Espriella has asked Donald Trump, the president of the United States, to suspend tariffs on Colombian exports until the country can recover from a 7.4 magnitude quake that killed at least 289 people.
Earthquake impact in Colombia
The tremor struck on Monday morning across the western part of the nation, hitting Pereira, Cali and Quibdo hardest. The epicentre lay in Choco, one of the poorest regions. Official figures list 143 people missing, more than 3,900 injured, 14,705 homes destroyed and another 81,536 damaged. Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, said rescue crews continue to search for survivors even after the first 48‑72 hour window has passed.
Implications for Canadian trade
Canada and Colombia are linked by a free trade agreement that allows Canadian agribusiness, mining and technology firms to sell into a market of roughly 50 million people. A suspension of U.S. duties could lower the cost of Colombian raw materials and finished goods that feed Canadian supply chains, especially in sectors such as coffee, cut flowers and minerals. Canadian companies with operations in Colombia may also benefit from a broader easing of trade barriers if the United States moves in that direction.
De la Espriella posted on X on Saturday night that he had spoken with Trump and thanked the United States for the $26.5 million in emergency aid, food, shelter and medical supplies, announced by the State Department. He added that he "asked him to consider the temporary suspension of the high tariffs that affect Colombian products, in order to provide relief to our businesspeople, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake." No official response from the White House has been reported.
The request comes just weeks after de la Espriella took office, having been backed by Trump in a runoff election on 21 June. His administration has repeatedly highlighted the close political ties with Washington, hoping to translate that goodwill into concrete economic support.
Canadian officials have not yet commented on the tariff request, but the Department of Global Affairs monitors any shift that could affect the Canada‑Colombia trade relationship. If the United States were to grant a temporary waiver, Canadian exporters might see a modest reduction in input costs, while Canadian investors could view the move as a sign of broader willingness to accommodate disaster‑affected partners.
The next steps will likely involve diplomatic channels in Washington and Ottawa, as both North American capitals assess how trade policy can support humanitarian recovery without undermining long‑term market rules.
Based on reporting by Global News.