Colombia is waiting for the United States government to give it a positive gesture or signal around the issue of imposition of a 10 percent tariff on the exports it does towards that country.
The foregoing, after recent meetings between spokesmen of both nations Colombian representatives announced the postponement to the entry into force of three technical regulations that prevented him from arriving from vehicles and spare parts from the United States since May 2 of this year.
These are the resolutions 20223040065305 of 2022, on the requirements applicable to pneumatic tires for motorcycles, whose entry into force is postponed until September 2, 2025; The 20223040044585 of 2022, referring to braking systems and its components for motor vehicles, trailers and semi -trailers, which is extended until September 16, 2025, and 20223040044455 of 2022, relative to new, recauchad and replacement tires, whose entry into force will be on September 30, 2025.
While the meetings have been held in a very cordial environment, the panorama does not look as clear and a decision as Colombia expects, that is, it does not impose said tariff, it can take more than expected, because so far there are no negotiations and the three meetings sustained among the spokesmen of both countries are barely approaches to review some issues, as it has transcended.
Jamieson Greer, US Commercial Spokesman, Rusinque, Mincomercio and Daniel García, Ambassador. Photo:X Ministry of Commerce
One of the great concerns of Colombian businessmen is the slowness with which Colombia is facing this situation, because While Ecuador and Chile already presented their proposals to the United States government, local authorities have not done so, which is not good.
To the above is added that Colombia does not have a property minister, says Javier Díaz, president of the National Foreign trade Association (Analdex), who adds that the negotiating team is not known and much less the experience of the same.
“The postponement of vehicle measures helps, but as long as there is no Colombian proposal on the table there is nothing. We cannot let other countries take advantage of us,” insists the union spokesman.
Something that María Claudia Lacouture, president of the Colombo American Chamber (Amcham Colombia) coincides, for whom this postponement “can be interpreted as a positive gesture and temporary relief, but does not constitute a definitive solution.”
President of Amcham Colombia and Allied Photo:Amcham Colombia
The expert considers that in the context of the negotiation of the 10 percent tariff, the administration of President Donald Trump has been clear in his interest in eliminating barriers that differentiate American products.
In the case of Colombia, at least 17 issues that generate concerns in this regard have been identified, on which they have been working. However, The concrete advances in the solution of these issues will be decisive for the United States to reconsider the imposition of the tariff. “The dialogue must focus on building a more balanced and predictable commercial environment, for the benefit of both economies,” he insists.
For now, Colombia, through the Ministry of Transportation and the private sector, must solve the problem of certification, because what it did was just running its entry into force until new order.
Díaz considers that this is just one of the points to be evacuated, what will be the solution, from when it will be applied, review the customs theme because there is no electronic platform of the DIAN or electronic invoices. “The United States is waiting for how the country will solve the issue of the so -called ‘irritants’, which are like 17 and of which it has been partially advanced. That is, it must be clear how much is willing to give in, but there is not yet a concrete proposal.”
Javier Díaz Molina, president of Analdex. Photo: Carlos Ortega / El Tiempo Photo:Archive time
The obstacles in that regard are several. According to Amcham, the USTR report (Office of the United States Commercial Representative), these barriers are related to technical regulatory measures, restrictions on public procurement, intellectual property issues, barriers to the trade of services, and recently, tax measures that affect foreign digital companies and their solution is key to facilitating trade and guaranteeing compliance with the Commitments of the FTA.
How to negotiate?
The question that many are asked is whether Colombia has a maneuvering room to sit at the table with the United States government to negotiate and achieve, in some way, a result that favors it in the midst of this complete situation.
For the president of AMCHAM, Colombia must act with strategic criteria, pragmatic vision and sense of opportunity. It is essential to consolidate its position as an ally of the United States, prioritizing effective cooperation on key issues that generate shared benefits.
In his opinion, The country has favorable conditions to advance the negotiation of the bilateral agenda and obtain concrete results. Lacouture highlights three key aspects in that process. The first, the fact that trade between the two nations maintains a sustained surplus in favor of the United States, which reinforces mutual interest in preserving and strengthening the economic relationship.
Secondly, that the Free Trade Agreement offers a solid institutional framework, with clear rules and channels established to address sensitive issues in a structured way.
And the third aspect, which Colombia has the ability to supply empty in the US supply chain, especially in sectors where suppliers such as China face logistics, regulatory or geopolitical restrictions, which represents an opportunity to position itself as a reliable and strategic partner.
“The panorama is positive, provided that an open and constructive dialogue between governments is maintained, accompanied by the active commitment of the private sector. The public-private articulation will be decisive to reach agreements that strengthen a stable, strategic and long-term commercial relationship,” insists the union spokeswoman.
