Free trade deals with Switzerland and Canada will be “Plan B” in absence of a trade preferences agreement with the U.S., Colombian Trade Minister Sergio Diaz-Granados said on Caracol Radio.
The trade minister said that as the deadline approaches for the renewal of the Andean Trade Preferences act, which gives duty-free access to the U.S. market for many Colombian products, Colombia will look to expand its economic opportunities by focusing on the implementation of free trade agreements that have been signed with Canada and Switzerland.
Colombia is looking to focus its energy on reliable partners, “markets without shocks, where we can expand the markets,” Diaz-Granados said.
The trade minister echoed the sentiments of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos who said Sunday that Colombia will focus on other export markets if the U.S. does not ratify a pending free trade deal with the Andean nation as the patience of the Colombian people is running out.
