“It is a very serious ad”: Analdex on US tariffs

After the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro, refused to accept the two flights with connationals deported from the United States, the Head of State Donald Trump He ordered this Sunday to impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian products.

On this panorama Javier Díaz, president of the National Foreign Trade Association (Analdex). He stressed that it is “very serious for Colombia the measures announced by President Trump, from the United States, against the Colombian government, its officials, but also from the country. I think you have to talk to the United States Government because President Petro expressed this morning that he would not let the planes that would bring the deported Colombians who were illegal in the US. UU. ”

The president of Analdex He added: “I think it’s a wrong announcement. Colombia cannot refuse to receive its nationals. Colombians would be stateless if the country itself decides not to receive them. ”

(Read also: Donald Trump’s hard response after Colombia’s negative to receive military flights with migrants
)

In addition, after the measures taken by Donald Trump’s government, Díaz mentioned that this “is a very serious announcement and corresponds to the Colombian government to sit at the table to define the treatment to deported Colombians and the treatment that Colombians and our Colombians would receive and our products that are directed to the United States. This situation is very serious. ”

For her part, the executive president of the American Colombo CameraMaría Claudia Lacouture, reacted to this news and emphasized that “the relationship between Colombia and the United States is key to both countries. Thousands of Colombians reside there, and trade, investment and cooperation are essential for our development. ”

The tensions that are currently being presented between the governments of Colombia and the United States “must be resolved by diplomatic channels, without affecting Colombians who travel through study, work or tourism,” Lacouture said. In addition, he commented that “refusing to receive deportees leaves them in a situation of legal vulnerability and affecting their fundamental rights. It is crucial to guarantee decent treatment and solutions according to sovereignty and international commitments. ”

Regarding tariffs, the executive president of the Colombo American Chamber commented that “if USA imposes 25% emergency tariffs (and after 50%) to Colombian products, the impact will be immediate and devastating. The process is Fast, does not require Congress approval and will seriously affect our economy. In coffee alone, more than 500 thousand families depend on this sector. In Flores, thousands of mothers head of the family would lose their livelihood. And so we can continue adding sectors that will be beaten. “

The general manager of the National Federation of Coffee GrowersGermán Alberto Bahamón Jaramillo, expressed concern in the midst of this crisis: “The states build and maintain their relations in a permanent negotiation that is based on diplomacy. Diplomacy requires moderation, as an unfortunate decision can lead to an economic affectation of devastating magnitudes ”.

Stressed that “Coffee represents more 560 thousand families that cultivate it hopeful in each day to improve the competitiveness of a purely exportable product. USA is the first commercial partner of Café de Colombia, with 40% of our country’s exports and more than US $ 1.1 billion. The coffee industry in the USA represents 1.3% of the GDP of that nation and has historically had a relationship of trust with all the actors that are part of the Colombian coffee. We call for effective diplomatic action to avoid economic and social affectation in our country”.

The director of Fedesarrollo, Luis Fernando Mejíahe stated that “with a cut to November 2024, Colombia’s exports to the United States were 13,100 million dollars, which represents 29% of total exports in the country. A 25% tariff (and after 50%) to our exports would have very serious consequences for our external balance, the availability of currencies and inflation control. The immediate consequence would be a loss of the value of local assets, including a strong depreciation of our currency and an increase in country risk. Inflation expectations would be increased due to the effect of an increase in the price of the dollar on imports, which would raise both inflation to the producer and the consumer. ”

He also warned that “The consequences of the measures taken by the United States towards Colombia could put the economic stability of the country at riskwith very negative effects for the entire Colombian population. ”

(Read also: Gustavo Petro will have a presidential plane for the return of deported Colombians from the USA.
)