bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Colombia

In recent years, the Colombian government has signed FTAs with several countries, including the USA (implemented in May 2012), China, Canada (signed in 2008, and took effect in August 2011), the EU. It is negotiating with Israel (first round of talks was held in January 2012), Korea (since 2009), is exploring the possibility of an FTA with Costa Rica, and has concluded a joint study on an FTA with the Japanese government. Labour and human rights organizations in Canada and the US have raised concerns and opposition to FTAs with Colombia due to the deadly repression and human rights violations against Colombian trade unionists, labour organisers, Indigenous Peoples and other communities there. Such concerns have delayed the ratification of these agreements. Within Colombia, a national coalition against free trade agreements, RECALCA, has warned that these agreements further deepen the privatization and corporate control over Colombian people’s lives and the country’s natural resources. Colombian farmers have opposed the deal because of concerns of increased unfair competition with US. transnational agribusiness and the devastation this will cause local producers. RECALCA has also warned that a proposed FTA with Korea could badly impact Colombia’s auto sector with resulting job losses.

last update: May 2012

Photo: Agencia Prensa Rural


NGO’s urge Colombia to sink investor protection treaties
Investment disputes led to $2.4 billion claims in Colombia.
CCAJAR calls for the elimination of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms in “free trade” agreements
Colombia is now facing thirteen investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims in process and eight more in initial stages that total an estimated USD $2 billion.
Colombia UK post-Brexit bilateral trade agreement goes into force
After completing government protocols, Colombia and the United Kingdom put into force the trade agreement signed in May 2019.
Miner South32 files request for arbitration in Colombia royalty dispute
Mining company South32 has filed a request for arbitration at the World Bank over a dispute with Colombia concerning royalty payments from its majority-owned Cerro Matoso ferronickel mine:
The impacts of FTAs on Colombian workers
Summary of the impacts of FTAs, analyzed by the FTA Observatory
Colombian campesinos: change the constitution, end ’free trade’
“We hold free trade agreements responsible for the bankruptcy of small producers, and we want them renegotiated”
Colombia and Japan to begin 12th round for Economic Partnership Agreement
Colombia and Japan will begin the 12th round of negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreement on Tuesday, Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced on Monday.
China, Colombia launch free trade talks
China and Colombia have agreed to conduct a feasibility study on an FTA.
Colombian Congress approves FTA with South Korea
The objections to Colombia’s trade deal with Seoul, which should be approved by the Executive, came from both the left-wing and the right-wing opposition, as well as part of the business sector.
Colombia: FTA negotiations with Japan progresses
The eighth round of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Colombia and Japan took place last week in Bogotá.