President Gustavo Petro informed that he is interested in signing an agreement of intention of the Silk route with China, to enhance the Colombian economy and balance it with that of the Asian country. As he said, he hopes to talk about the president of China, putting on the table the approach to the problems of both nations in Commerce.
“Let’s talk to Xi Jinping from you to you, not as kneeling and we will put problems in force”, Explained the head of state at an event held on May 6, 2025 in the Plaza de Armas of the House of Nariño in Bogotá.
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However, the possible accession of Colombia on the commercial route generated a broad debate about the convenience of the alliance. According to the president of the National Foreign trade Association (Analdex), Javier Díaz, although the inclusion of the country in the project implies an important impulse in global connections and exports of non -mining energy products, there are risks.
“Entering this initiative can cost us that we have to accept China as a market economywith its consequences, when it really is not, ”said the official, in conversation with The Republic.
The possibility that Colombia joins the commercial strategy, of which hundreds of international countries and organizations are already part of and aims to boost cooperation and trade between nations without obstacles or tariffs, also generated discomfort because it could affect relations with the United States. Well, China and the North American country are not at its best in terms of commercial relations, due to the tariff war that the head of state Donald Trump began.
-However, according to the Minister of Commerce (E) and current Superintendent of Industry and Commerce, Cielo Rusinque, the decision of the Colombian government to adhere to the Silk route is not an affront against the United States, as speculated. In addition, he warned that the strategy is not negative consequences for the country’s economy.
“He wanted to imply that we are almost delivering our economy, we are making a dangerous bet, challenging the United States and opening the doors to Chinese trade so that they end our small business or our new companies, nothing more false and away from reality, ”said the official, in conversation with W Radio.
As he explained, with the warnings that have arisen, it has been intended to “satanize” the commercial relations that Colombia is having with China and the same Silk route, which has the participation of most Latin American countries.
He also insisted that the Colombian government has met with representatives of the US administration to put in mind that there is a great “inequality” at the commercial level between the two nations, something that increased with the measures that Donald Trump has been taking in the matter, such as the increase of tariffs by 10%. “With the United States an absolutely unpredictable policy is being managed”He clarified to the mentioned media.
Despite the disadvantages that Colombia would have against the United States trade, Gustavo Petro’s government does not seek a separation or collapse of relations between countries. “The United States is our first commercial partner. (…) It is worth saying that we are one of the few countries in the region that has more measures in a sense of commercial protection with respect to the China market”He said.
The minister (e) assured that the government’s commitment is “laudable” and is aimed at continuing to diversify its market. “No one could ignore how strategic this market is for any economy in the world,” he said.
