MEXICO CITY, Aug 16 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend high tariffs on Colombian goods to support Colombian entrepreneurs following the devastating earthquake that struck the Latin American country, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"I also asked him [Trump] to consider the temporary suspension of the high tariffs that affect Colombian products, in order to provide relief to our businesspeople, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake," de la Espriella said on social media platform X.
According to the Colombian president, he held a ten-minute phone conversation with Trump, during which he thanked the American leader for his economic assistance and the support of American rescue teams following the natural disaster. Trump, in turn, expressed his condolences for the loss of life in the earthquake and solidarity with the affected Colombian families.
"I told him that we have a huge challenge ahead: rebuilding Colombia amid the extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation that I inherited," the Colombian leader said.
He called the conversation "very friendly and cordial" and noted Trump's warm attitude towards Colombia and its citizens.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI