Colombia could be at a competitive disadvantage with new selective US tariffs: AmCham

TL;DR

AmCham Colombia warns that selective US tariffs could disadvantage Colombia competitively.
2026 is expected to be more challenging due to tariffs, bilateral negotiations, and US economic policy shifts towards national security.
Colombia needs to advance its trade agenda and protect existing market gains in the US.
Other countries securing better tariff conditions risk displacing Colombian exports, especially in price-sensitive sectors like agro-industry and light manufacturing.
US companies may transfer cost pressures to foreign suppliers in 2026 through renegotiations.
National security priorities in US economic policy include strategic infrastructure, energy, data, critical minerals, and 'nearshoring'/'friendshoring'.
Opportunities exist for Colombia in sectors like cacao, coffee, processed foods, electrical materials, and plastics.
Risks include potential displacement by Guatemala in agro-industry and light manufacturing due to its tariff advantages, and by El Salvador in labor-intensive sectors due to price gaps.
The US is moving towards a fragmented trade architecture based on bilateral and sectoral agreements.
Internal challenges for Colombia include peso revaluation and increased production costs, alongside a growing trade deficit.
AmCham stresses the need for proactive trade policy and strategic engagement with the US.

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