The Colombian government has assured that they will continue to receive their deported citizens in a dignified and respectful manner. The United States is a significant trading partner for Colombia, being the largest export market for the South American country. Despite representing only 0.5 percent of U.S. imports, Colombia maintained a trade surplus of one billion dollars with the U.S. last year.
One of the most notable products in this trade relationship is flowers. Colombia is known for exporting cut flowers such as roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums. By November of last year, the United States had imported more than one billion 140 million dollars in flowers from Colombia. This business was threatened by the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump would impose a 25 percent tariff on Colombian imports, which would be especially impactful as Valentine's Day approached.
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that the impasse with the U.S. regarding the deportation of Colombians had been overcome following threats of tariffs and visa restrictions from the U.S. administration. Despite previous tensions, it was agreed to allow flights to land, and tariffs on Colombian exports were suspended.
In addition to flowers, another prominent product in Colombian exports to the United States is crude oil. By November of last year, the U.S. imported 70 million barrels of Colombian oil for nearly 5 billion 400 million dollars. The Colombian oil company Ecopetrol is one of the largest companies in the world and has been supported by financial aid from the U.S. government.
On the other hand, Colombian coffee is another emblematic product exported to the United States. Despite facing a slight decrease in coffee imports, Colombia remains the second source of coffee for the U.S. after Brazil. The trade relationship between the two countries spans various sectors, from agriculture to oil, and has been crucial for both economies.
