Colombia to Join China's Belt and Road Initiative With Intent Agreement at May 13-14 Celac Forum

10 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated May 7, 2025, 10:13 AM

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced his intention to sign a memorandum of understanding for Colombia to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during an upcoming trip to Beijing, scheduled for May 13-14 as part of the IV Forum of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and China. The Colombian government has convened the Foreign Relations Advisory Commission, composed of former senior diplomats and officials, to discuss the country's potential accession to the BRI. The agreement is described as a letter of intent, with implementation left to future administrations. Petro previously traveled to Beijing in 2023 to strengthen commercial ties but did not finalize the agreement at that time. Petro stated that the decision aims to address Colombia's significant trade deficit with China, which stands at approximately $14 billion annually. He emphasized the need for a more balanced commercial relationship, either through increased Chinese investment in Colombia or greater purchases of Colombian goods by China. In the first two months of the year, Colombia's trade deficit with China reached $2.4 billion. China is now Colombia's leading source of imports, accounting for 28.4% compared to 24.8% from the United States, and is the country's fourth most important export destination. Business leaders, including Bruce Mac Master, president of the Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia, and Javier Díaz, president of Analdex, have expressed concerns about the strategic rationale and potential impact on relations with key trading partners, particularly the United States. Mac Master questioned the timing and justification for the move, while Díaz noted the global context of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Main Colombian exports to China include oil, coal, gold, and emeralds. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated there is no official information to release regarding Colombia's potential accession to the BRI at this time.

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Sources

espanol.cgtn.com ebx.sh eleconomista.com.mx tvn-2.com

CGTN Español

@cgtnenespanol

The Chilean public and private sectors are looking for strategies to diversify the export supply. #xw #CCTVUltramar #DM #Aranceles https://t.co/Fj1eUQz1Gk

The Japan Times

@japantimes

Colombia's president on Tuesday said he intends to sign an accord to join Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative during an upcoming China trip, a move sure to damage already frayed relations with Washington. https://t.co/Mg8Uo4KhlS

Global Times

@globaltimesnews

When asked about China's perspective on Colombia's plan to join the Belt and Road Initiative (#BRI), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wed, "Regarding the specific issue you mentioned, I have no information to release at this time." He added that #Colombia, https://t.co/c4RvlNouQc