After the US delayed a decision on Section 232 tariff exemptions to June 1, the Colombian minister of commerce, industry and tourism, Maria Lorena Gutierrez, said all diplomatic channels remain open, despite the uncertainty.
Brazil, which was initially excluded from the 25 percent import tariff, had to choose between the tariffs or an import quota, as the US had “unilaterally cut off talks” on April 26.
However, a final decision about exempting Colombia “wasn’t announced, so diplomatic and technical channels between the two countries are still open,” said Gutierrez.
Colombia sent a request to be excluded from the import tariff on March 13.
Colombia is a minor source of US steel imports, with only 44,657 mt of steel shipped to the US in 2017, primarily HDG and OCTG.
Colombia’s major steel exporters to the US include Acesco, Corpacero and Terniumowned Siderurgica de Caldas.