Colombia faces possible US trade retaliation after its leftwing President Gustavo Petro said he planned to sign up to Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative during a visit to China for a regional meeting next week.
Bogotá’s dilemma reflects a broader problem facing the 33-strong Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) — how to diversify trade and investment without incurring US President Donald Trump’s wrath. Beijing hosts a ministerial forum with Celac on May 13.
Petro holds Celac’s rotating presidency this year and Colombia has long been one of Washington’s most important South American allies. So a move by Bogotá to join BRI would be a significant win for Beijing, with Petro’s remarks already sparking a warning from Washington.