President Abelardo de la Espriella asks Donald Trump to suspend tariffs as Colombia faces nearly 300 earthquake deaths and major reconstruction needs.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods as the country confronts the aftermath of a deadly earthquake and prepares for a major reconstruction effort.
RELATED: Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises to 294 as Rescue Efforts Continue
U.S. tariffs on Colombian products rose from 10% to 12.5% on July 24, although coffee and oil were among the products exempted. De la Espriella said the higher duties were adding pressure on businesses already struggling with the effects of the disaster.
“I asked him to consider temporarily suspending the high tariffs that are affecting Colombian products, in order to give some relief to our business owners, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake,” De la Espriella said on X.
Acabo de hablar durante diez minutos con el presidente Donald Trump. Le agradecí profundamente toda la ayuda económica y el apoyo de los equipos de rescate de los Estados Unidos frente a la tragedia que estamos viviendo.
El presidente Trump también manifestó sus condolencias por…
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) August 15, 2026
Text Reads: I just spoke for ten minutes with President Donald Trump. I deeply thanked him for all the economic aid and the support of the United States rescue teams in the face of the tragedy we are experiencing.
President Trump also expressed his condolences for the victims of the earthquake and his solidarity with the affected Colombian families.
I told him that we have a huge challenge ahead: rebuilding Colombia amid the extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation that I inherited.
I also 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.
The conversation was very friendly and cordial. President Trump was supremely warm and expressed his affection for Colombia and his fondness for our people. I reiterated my deep gratitude for the solidarity and support of the United States toward Colombia.
Today, more than ever, the alliance between Colombia and the United States is an imperative for the reconstruction of our beloved nation.
Strong for the Homeland!
(A.D.L.E) 
De la Espriella said he spoke with Trump for about 10 minutes and that the U.S. president offered condolences for those killed in Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
“The conversation was very friendly and cordial,” De la Espriella said.
He said he told Trump that Colombia faced a major rebuilding effort amid what he described as an “extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation” inherited from his predecessor, leftist former President Gustavo Petro.
The earthquake devastated the western cities of Cali and Pereira, killing nearly 300 people and destroying almost 13,000 homes.
The tariff increase replaced a global duty introduced by Trump earlier this year that had been due to expire.
De la Espriella’s ties with Trump
De la Espriella has maintained close ties with the Trump administration since his presidential campaign, when Trump endorsed the millionaire lawyer-turned-politician.
Since taking office, De la Espriella has moved Colombia closer to Washington’s security agenda by joining the U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas,” an alliance that includes pro-U.S. governments in Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador.
The countries involved reportedly share information and coordinate judicial and security forces as part of efforts to combat transnational criminal activity.
De la Espriella has also said he intends to establish a military alliance with the United States and Israel as part of his campaign against what he describes as guerrillas.
The shift marks a significant change from Petro’s approach, with the new government pursuing deeper military and counter-cartel cooperation with Washington and authorizing joint operations.
At the same time, the tariff dispute highlights the economic pressure facing Colombia as it seeks to finance reconstruction after the earthquake. De la Espriella’s request comes as his government strengthens its security partnership with the United States while seeking relief from trade measures imposed by Washington.
For Colombia, the immediate challenge is rebuilding after a disaster that destroyed thousands of homes and left nearly 300 people dead, while the government seeks economic relief and closer cooperation with the United States.
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