US tariffs impact Colombia’s aluminum sector more than steel sector

According to data from Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics, in 2024, Colombian steel and aluminum exports to the US represented 5.3% of total Colombian exports to the US. In contrast, Colombia accounted for just 0.3% of total US imports of these products in 2024.

However, the impact of US tariffs on Colombian steel and aluminum is different. In the case of steel, Colombian exports to the US totaled US$82.2 million in 2024, a 2% drop compared to 2023. In the case of aluminum and its derivatives, Colombia exported a total value of US$644.4 million in 2024, a year-over-year increase of 5.7%.

María Claudia Lacouture, president of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce, commented that a comprehensive strategy is needed for Colombian industry that combines trade surveillance, defense against potential distortions, strengthening sectors with export potential, and active diplomacy to position Colombia as a reliable partner amid an increasingly protectionist global environment.