Trump Hinted at Removing 12.5% Tariff on Colombian Goods
Importers of flowers, apparel, and food may see costs drop if current Section 301 tariffs are repealed.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in International Trade
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President Donald Trump indicated a potential removal of the 12.5% tariff currently applied to a range of Colombian exports. The duty, which affects sectors including confectionery, apparel, and footwear, was originally implemented in July 2026 under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
Why it matters
A tariff removal would alleviate cost pressures for U.S. importers who have been paying the 12.5% fee at the border since mid-2026. This potential shift follows a request for suspension from the Colombian government, which took office in August 2026.
The current 12.5% tariff affects diverse categories including flowers, processed foods, and cosmetics, contrasting with the 10% rate applied to 17 other economies among the 60 investigated by the USTR. Colombian exports such as coffee, oil, gold, and bananas remain exempt from this duty.
The players
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States.
Abelardo de la Espriella
The President of Colombia who assumed office in August 2026.
Office of the United States Trade Representative
The federal agency responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade policy.
The details
The 12.5% tariff is paid by U.S. importers at the border when goods clear customs, directly impacting landing costs for retailers and distributors. Modifying or removing the duty requires either an official adjustment by the Office of the United States Trade Representative or an executive order from the President. Until formal notice is published, businesses must continue to budget for the current tariff rate.
Timeline
July 23, 2026: The USTR announced the final Section 301 action.
August 2026: The Colombian government formally requested a tariff suspension.
October 12, 2026: President Trump stated he may remove the tariff.
October 13, 2026: La República reported on the President's comments.
November 2026: United States midterm elections.
Market Landscape
The current policy reflects the USTR's broader campaign to leverage tariff tiers against 60 economies based on their forced labor import ban protocols. This potential reversal follows the pattern of using Section 301 enforcement as a tool for international diplomatic and economic negotiations.
Importers should continue to factor the 12.5% tariff into current procurement budgets and contract pricing until a formal rescission notice is issued. Consult with your customs broker to monitor for any official regulatory updates regarding the specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes affected.
The takeaway
The President's willingness to lift the duty signals a potential pivot in current trade relations that could lower landing costs for importers of Colombian consumer goods. Monitor the Federal Register for an official modification notice to determine if and when duty-free or lower-tariff status applies to your shipments.
Further reading
For more background on how regulatory actions influence supply chains, review our analysis on International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Rio Times.
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