China's embassy in Colombia responded to the government's 25% tariffs on steel imports from countries without a free trade agreement, denying unfair competition against the local steel industry. It emphasized that Chinese products are of good quality and competitive prices, accounting for less than 0.3% of total imports in 2025. It warned that restrictions would raise costs in other sectors and harm employment.
The Colombian government imposed 25% tariffs on steel and metal imports from countries without a free trade agreement, prompting a response from China's embassy. Ambassador Zhu Jingyang stated that Chinese products do not engage in unfair competition against the local steel sector. “Chinese products, of good quality and competitive prices, constitute an indispensable and beneficial complement for Colombia,” the embassy said in a statement on March 26, 2026. Their edge stems from a developed industrial system, advanced technology, and efficient production management. In 2025, China's steel exports to Colombia were under 0.3% of the annual total. The embassy argued that curbing these imports fails to fix local industry issues but raises costs for other sectors, harms businesses and consumers, and hinders economic growth and jobs. China supports rules-based multilateral trade and proposes supply chain cooperation to upgrade Colombian industries for higher competitiveness. It noted concerns from Camacol, which may pursue legal action, and Andi's support for the tariffs to safeguard industry. It invited Colombians to visit China to see product quality firsthand.
