Colombia’s textile and apparel industry is bracing for significant disruption from new US trade measures, with the sector’s trade association warning that an additional US tariff could impact 30% of the country’s exports.
Javier Díaz, president of Analdex, highlighted the vulnerability of the industry to shifting Washington policy, noting that the potential revenue loss would be substantial for member firms.
The association has issued an urgent appeal to the Colombian government to expedite the issuance of a decree prohibiting imports from countries identified as using forced labor.
Analdex argues that such a measure is necessary to level the playing field and protect domestic producers from unfair competition, particularly as US trade barriers rise.
The call to action underscores the industry’s concern that without reciprocal or protective measures, Colombian exporters will face a double disadvantage: higher costs in the US market and competition from lower-cost producers in jurisdictions with lax labor standards.
This development comes amid a broader escalation in US trade policy toward Latin America.