Colombia has inaugurated a new maritime trade route linking its main Pacific port, Buenaventura, to Shanghai, China. This move, announced on February 6, 2025, by the Colombian Presidency, signifies a strengthening of ties with China amid diplomatic tensions with the United States.
The Colombian Ministry of Commerce reported on X that Colombia and China have agreed on a maritime route connecting Shanghai with Buenaventura. The route will see goods departing from Buenaventura making a stop at the Peruvian port of Chancay, funded by China, before continuing to the Asian giant.
China's ambassador to Bogota, Zhu Jingyang, hailed the development as "good news" for commercial relations on X. The project is being spearheaded by global maritime trade giant China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO).
Colombia's Minister of Commerce, Luis Carlos Reyes, described the agreement as "a significant step in strengthening relations" between the two nations.
The trade agreement comes at a time when Colombia is experiencing strained relations with the United States. On January 26, President Gustavo Petro refused entry to US military aircraft carrying deported Colombians. In response, US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Colombian products.
Petro retaliated with similar measures, leading to a brief crisis that was resolved after an agreement between the White House and Colombian diplomacy regarding the deportation of irregular migrants.
On February 6, the Presidency reported that Petro and his Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, met with the chargé d'affaires of the US embassy in Bogota, John McNamara. The meeting discussed topics including "bilateral relations" and "cooperation," according to an X post.
Despite the normalization of relations, Colombian business groups remain apprehensive about potential future US sanctions. Petro recently accused Trump of promoting a "fascist thesis" by "criminalizing" undocumented Latin Americans entering the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently visiting Central America, aiming to curb Chinese "influence" in the region. In 2023, Petro traveled to Beijing to solidify trade agreements with the government of Xi Jinping.
According to the independent National Association of Foreign Trade (Analdex), China is currently Colombia's fourth-largest export destination but is on track to become the second. Colombia's primary exports to China include oil, coal, and minerals such as gold and emeralds.