COLOMBIA · TRADE
Key Facts
- —The country Colombia is a close US security partner in South America.
- —What happened Trump said on Monday he may lift a 12.5% tariff.
- —The tariff Imposed on 23 July over missing forced labor import bans.
- —Goods hit Flowers, apparel and processed foods pay the extra duty.
- —Still open No executive order, date or trade notice has been cited.
President Donald Trump said on Monday, 12 October, that he may remove the extra 12.5% Colombia tariff on some goods. He tied the possible move to his friendship with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Colombian flower growers, garment makers and food exporters got a signal from Washington on Monday, 12 October. Asked outside the White House about lifting the 12.5% duty on certain Colombian goods, Trump said he might do so.
The remark matters for US importers, who pay the Colombia tariff at the border, and for shoppers buying Colombian roses and clothing. It also shows how far relations have warmed since De la Espriella replaced the leftist Gustavo Petro as president.
What Trump Said Outside the White House
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, carried by the Bogotá daily El Tiempo, Trump spoke to reporters before flying to Ohio. He was campaigning there for Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.
In EFE’s Spanish rendering, Trump answered “Puede que lo haga,” which means “I may do it.” The reports quote no timetable and no list of products.
He called De la Espriella a friend and said he had backed him. He also said the Colombian leader was doing a great job.
In a staff report on Tuesday, 13 October, La República also said Trump had opened the door to lifting the duty. Neither outlet cited a written order, a White House statement or a notice from US trade officials.
Why Colombia Pays the 12.5% Tariff
The duty dates from Thursday, 23 July, when the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced its final action. It used Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a law that lets Washington punish unfair foreign practices.
USTR had investigated 60 economies over whether they impose and enforce a ban on importing goods made with forced labor. Seventeen economies with such a ban, or a promise of one, got a 10% rate, while most others got 12.5%.
Colombia landed in the higher group, according to both La República and El Tiempo. Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Ecuador and Guatemala are among the economies placed at 10%, the USTR release shows.
USTR’s own criteria point to an exit path that does not rest on goodwill alone. Economies that had a forced labor import ban, or committed to one in a trade agreement, went into the lower group.
Which Colombian Exports Are Hit
Both newspapers list flowers, apparel and processed foods among the goods that pay the extra duty. La República adds chocolates, confectionery and cosmetics, while El Tiempo also names footwear.
Colombia’s biggest export earners are largely spared, La República reports. It says coffee, oil, gold, bananas, avocados and certain sugars are exempt from the Colombia tariff.
The tariff is formally paid by the US importer when goods clear customs. La República notes that the cost is then shared through lower prices for exporters, higher prices for shoppers, or both.
A Friendlier Line Toward Bogotá
The comment fits a broader thaw between Washington and Bogotá under De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer who succeeded Petro. El Tiempo contrasted the warm tone with Trump’s tense relationship with the former president.
In August, after an earthquake, De la Espriella asked Trump to suspend the tariffs, Emol and BAE Negocios reported. Monday’s remark suggests that request is still alive in Washington.
The two governments have also deepened security cooperation since De la Espriella took office in August, the EFE report noted. It did not link that cooperation directly to the tariff.
What It Means for US Readers
For US importers of Colombian flowers, clothing and packaged foods, removal would end a charge of 12.5% of customs value. Retailers could pass some savings to shoppers, but nothing changes until a formal order is published.
Companies with Colombian supply chains, from fashion brands to food distributors, would gain the most from relief. Investors may also read the remark as one less source of friction with a key US security partner.
The case shows Trump linking trade terms openly to his personal and political ties with foreign leaders. Other Latin American governments still paying 12.5% will watch closely whether friendship alone can lower a Section 301 rate.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether Trump will act, when, or whether any relief would cover all affected Colombian goods. None of the reports cited an executive order, a USTR notice or a Federal Register filing.
Trump’s exact English words were not published in the reports reviewed, only EFE’s Spanish rendering. Colombia’s government had not commented publicly on the remark in the reports reviewed.
A La República headline cites exporters’ group Analdex as saying the rate could soon fall to zero. No official has confirmed that.
What Comes Next
Any change would most likely come through a USTR modification of the Section 301 action or a presidential order. Exporters will watch the Federal Register and statements from Colombia’s Trade Ministry in the coming days.
Monday’s comment does not lift the Colombia tariff, and goods entering the US today still pay 12.5%. Until a formal notice appears, importers should budget for the current rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the Colombia tariff?
On Monday, 12 October, he told reporters he may lift the extra 12.5% duty on certain Colombian goods. He cited his friendship with President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Why does Colombia pay a 12.5% US tariff?
The US Trade Representative imposed it on 23 July under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. It targets economies that lack an effective ban on importing goods made with forced labor.
Which Colombian products are affected?
Colombian newspapers list flowers, apparel and processed foods among the goods that pay it. Coffee, oil and gold are exempt, Colombian press reports say.
Has the tariff been lifted?
No, the remark was not a formal decision. None of the reports cited an executive order or a notice from US trade officials.
Sources: Office of the US Trade Representative, Section 301 forced labor action; El Tiempo (EFE); La República; Emol; BAE Negocios (all accessed 13 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief