Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has called on US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods, arguing that the South American country needs economic relief as it faces a reconstruction bill of approximately $6.4 billion following Monday's devastating earthquake.

In a ten-minute phone call that de la Espriella described as "very friendly and cordial," the Colombian leader asked Trump to pause recently elevated tariffs on Colombian products. "I asked him to consider temporarily suspending the high tariffs that are affecting Colombian products, in order to give some relief to our business owners, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake," de la Espriella said on social media. US tariffs on Colombian goods rose from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in late July — with limited exceptions for key exports such as coffee and oil — after Washington cited failures to uphold anti-forced labour measures. The United States is Colombia's largest export market, making the tariff increase a significant blow to the country's economy.

Monday's 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, devastating the cities of Cali and Pereira, killing at least 294 people and destroying nearly 13,000 homes. Colombia's Finance Minister Miguel Gómez has said the government is not yet considering tax increases to fund reconstruction, though the scale of damage makes securing financing an urgent priority.

The tariff appeal reflects the broader diplomatic positioning of de la Espriella, who took office in early August after a close victory over leftist candidate Iván Cepeda. Trump publicly endorsed the right-wing, millionaire lawyer-turned-politician during the campaign. Since assuming office, de la Espriella has aligned Colombia closely with Washington, joining the "Shield of the Americas" — a US-led anti-cartel security alliance that also includes Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador — and announcing plans for a military partnership with the United States and Israel to combat armed groups active in Colombia.

While the earthquake response has shown the new administration's capacity to mobilise resources — deploying cabinet members across affected regions — de la Espriella has also faced criticism for a personalised communications style, for not conducting a formal handover with the previous government of Gustavo Petro, and for initially declining offers of assistance from international rescue teams. Whether the close relationship with Trump will translate into concrete tariff relief remains to be seen, but the request underlines how natural disaster and geopolitics have become inseparable challenges for Colombia's new leadership.