Colombia's New President Asks Trump to Suspend Tariffs Amid Earthquake

What happened

Colombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella called on US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs that rose from 10% to 12.5% in late July. The tariffs, effective July 24, target Colombian products except coffee and oil. De la Espriella spoke with Trump for about 10 minutes on X, where Trump expressed condolences for the 7.4-magnitude quake that killed nearly 300 people and destroyed almost 13,000 homes in Cali and Pereira.

Why it matters

The request highlights the economic strain on Colombia following the earthquake. De la Espriella, a right-wing leader backed by Trump, aims to provide relief to business owners facing difficult times. The move also underscores the strengthening of US-Colombia relations under the new administration.