Colombia’s exports to the U.S. grew by 14% during the first quarter of 2025, despite President Donald Trump’s trade war. This has further consolidated the United States as Colombia’s main trade partner.
Coffee exports have largely benefited from this surge, with shipments from Colombia to the U.S. increasing by 107% during this period. Flower exports also grew considerably, rising by 8.7% due to this year’s Valentine’s Day demand.
Mineral exports have also increased from January to April. Exports from the mineral industry grew by 149%, while exports of processed metals such as iron and steel rose by 463%.
Despite declines in some sectors, overall exports from Colombia to the US have surged
Some Colombian industries like fuels and textiles have decreased their exports to the United States during the first half of the year. Despite this, however, the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) said a general surge in export volume to the US can be observed.
The President of AmCham, Maria Claudia Lacouture explained that Colombia has managed to better its relative position in the American market. The Trump administration imposed a 10% taridd on Colombia, which was amongst the lowest in comparison to other countries. Other close allies to the US like the EU and South Korea had tariffs of 20% and 25% set respectively.
Lacouture therefore considers that due to this comparative advantage, its a good opportunity for Colombia to diversify the market and strengthen its productive and logistic capacities.
Relations between Colombia and the US remain tense
In early May, the United States Special Envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone sent a warning to Colombia as a response to President Petro joining China’s belt and road iniative. “The closeness between President Gustavo Petro and China is a great opportunity for Ecuador’s roses and Central American coffee,” he said, alluding to the fact that the main products Colombia exports to the US would be put at risk by Petro’s strengthening of ties with Beijing.
President Petro replied to this threat saying that he expected Colombia and the US to keep on being equal trade partners.
It is also worth noting that duirng this time of growth for Colombian exports to the US, the country’s exports to China dropped by 27,7%. The industries that have been more heavily affected by this decrease were coffee, fuels and jewels. In April, China did not rank amongst the main 5 trade partners with Colombia, while the US topped the list.