Colombia Begs Trump: Suspend Tariffs After Devastating Earthquake
Colombia’s New President Asks Trump to Pause Tariffs After Deadly Earthquake
What Happened?
Imagine your neighbor’s house gets damaged by a huge storm. You had already planned to charge them more for using your driveway. But now, because of the storm, you might want to pause that extra charge to help them recover.
That’s basically what’s happening between Colombia and the United States right now.
Colombia’s new President, Abelardo de la Espriella, asked President Trump to temporarily stop higher taxes (called tariffs) on Colombian products. He made this request because Colombia is struggling after a terrible earthquake.
The Earthquake’s Impact
On Monday, a massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. Think of magnitude like a volume knob—the higher the number, the stronger the shaking.
Important Point: This earthquake was very powerful and caused massive destruction.
Here’s what the earthquake destroyed:
- Nearly 300 people lost their lives
- Almost 13,000 homes were destroyed
- Two major cities—Cali and Pereira—were devastated
The Colombian president described the situation as an "extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation" that he inherited when he took office.
Understanding the Tariffs (Explained Simply)
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes that a country puts on goods coming from another country.
Think of it like this: If Colombia sends coffee to the US, and there’s a 10% tariff, the US government collects 10% of the coffee’s value as a tax. This makes Colombian products more expensive for American buyers.
The Timeline of Tariffs on Colombia
| Date | What Happened | Tariff Rate |
|---|---|---|
| February | Trump administration imposed tariffs under "Section 122" | 10% |
| Late July | Those tariffs expired, replaced by new ones under "Section 301" | 12.5% |
| July 24 | New higher tariffs officially started | 12.5% |
Important Point: Coffee and oil were exceptions—they kept the lower rate.
Why Did Tariffs Go Up? (The "Section 301" Explanation)
The US government uses different legal tools (like different rulebooks) to impose tariffs:
-
First try: Used IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act)
→ Supreme Court said: "No, you can’t use this rulebook without Congress agreeing." -
Second try: Used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974
→ These were temporary and expired in July. - Current rule: Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
→ This lets the US penalize countries for "unfair trade practices."
The US says: Colombia isn’t doing enough to stop forced labor (when people are made to work against their will).
Colombia says: The higher taxes hurt businesses already struggling after the earthquake.
The Phone Call Between Presidents
President de la Espriella and President Trump spoke for about 10 minutes on the phone.
What they discussed:
- Trump expressed condolences for the earthquake deaths
- De la Espriella asked to "temporarily suspend the high tariffs"
- Goal: Give relief to Colombian business owners during recovery
Important Point: De la Espriella described the conversation as "very friendly and cordial."
CBS News has asked the White House for comment on whether Trump will agree to the request.
Political Background: A Big Shift in Colombia
The Previous President: Gustavo Petro
- Left-wing leader
- Frequently clashed with the Trump administration
- Was personally sanctioned by the US Treasury Department (October 2025)
- Faced a federal narcotics investigation (reported March 2026)
The New President: Abelardo de la Espriella
- Right-wing leader
- Millionaire lawyer-turned-politician
- Endorsed by Trump during his campaign
- Succeeded Petro as president
New Alliances: "Shield of the Americas"
Since taking office, de la Espriella joined the Shield of the Americas—an anti-drug cartel alliance led by Trump.
Member countries include:
- Argentina
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Colombia (new member)
What they do:
- Share intelligence information
- Coordinate police and security forces
- Work together against international criminal gangs
Future Plans: Military Alliance
De la Espriella wants to create a military partnership with the US and Israel to strengthen Colombia’s fight against guerrillas (armed rebel groups operating in the countryside).
What Happens Next?
Possible Outcomes:
- Trump agrees to pause tariffs → Colombian businesses get breathing room
- Trump refuses → Colombia continues paying 12.5% tariffs during recovery
- Partial relief → Some products get exemptions, others don’t
Key Dates to Watch:
- July 24, 2026 → Higher tariffs took effect
- August 2026 → Earthquake struck, request made
- Ongoing → White House consideration period
Summary
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Who asked? | Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella |
| Who was asked? | US President Donald Trump |
| What for? | Temporary pause on 12.5% tariffs on Colombian goods |
| Why now? | Devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed ~300, destroyed 13,000 homes |
| Current tariff? | 12.5% (up from 10%), effective July 24, 2026 |
| Exceptions? | Coffee and oil kept lower rates |
| Legal basis? | Section 301 of Trade Act of 1974 (forced labor concerns) |
| Call tone? | "Very friendly and cordial" — 10 minutes |
| Political context? | New right-wing president, Trump ally, joined "Shield of the Americas" |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly is a tariff?
A tariff is a tax on imported goods. If Colombia exports flowers to the US and there’s a 12.5% tariff, the US government collects 12.5% of the flowers’ value. This makes Colombian flowers more expensive for American buyers, which can hurt Colombian sellers.
Why did the tariffs increase from 10% to 12.5%?
The US switched from one legal authority (Section 122) to another (Section 301). The US claims Colombia isn’t doing enough to stop forced labor (people forced to work against their will). The new tariffs took effect on July 24, 2026.
What was the earthquake like?
A 7.4-magnitude quake is very strong—it can destroy buildings and infrastructure. It hit western Colombia on Monday, devastating the cities of Cali and Pereira. Nearly 300 people died and 13,000 homes were destroyed.
Who is Abelardo de la Espriella?
He’s Colombia’s new president (took office recently). He’s a right-wing millionaire lawyer who was endorsed by Trump. He replaced Gustavo Petro, a left-wing president who had poor relations with the US.
What is the "Shield of the Americas"?
It’s a security alliance led by the US to fight drug cartels and organized crime in Latin America. Members (Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and now Colombia) share intelligence and coordinate police operations across borders.
Final Thought: This situation shows how natural disasters and trade policies can collide. Colombia needs economic breathing room to rebuild, but the US has its own rules about labor standards. The phone call between the two presidents is the first step toward a possible solution.