The risks of strengthening trade ties with China, according to US Ambassador John McNamara

In an interview with EL TIEMPO, which will be published in this Sunday's edition, the acting U.S. ambassador to Colombia, John McNamara , highlighted the strength and depth of the trade relationship between Bogotá and Washington, while warning about the potential risks of Colombia's closer ties to China.

"When I look at the overview of the two bilateral relations, it's worth mentioning that ours is a bilateral trade of added value and shared democratic values . This is an important aspect that not all countries, including that Asian country, have," the diplomat said.

McNamara emphasized that the United States is not only the largest investor in Colombia—37 times more than China—but also the main buyer of Colombian agricultural products, absorbing 40 percent of its exports, compared to 2 percent purchased by China.

He also mentioned that bilateral trade with the United States is balanced and that there is a high level of trust based on respect for the law and contracts. " We have a balanced bilateral trade relationship: the United States seeks opportunities to grow jointly with other countries. In the case of the other country, that relationship is not balanced at all . According to DANE (National Economic Development Agency), Colombia had a trade deficit of more than $12 billion with China: 10 times the deficit with the United States. And what we buy from Colombia is much more than just raw materials: there is added value in the process, and all sectors of its economy are connected to our trade," he added.

He also indirectly criticized Chinese-funded projects in the region, pointing to cases of mismanagement. " There are many examples of poor construction projects in that other country, accusations of corruption and mismanagement . Ecuador is facing an electricity crisis largely due to the inability of a hydroelectric plant to generate the promised electricity. There are investigations into possible corruption, a host of irregularities in the construction projects. With us, Colombia has an honest partner because our companies follow their laws and ours. We even have a law that allows for the prosecution of companies that violate our laws abroad," he said.

He also noted that the Colombian government is free to manage its economic relations. " Obviously, it is the decision of your government and the worthy Colombian people how they want to manage their economic relations, with whom they want to grow together, or with whom they risk losing a lot," he clarified.

And he added: "Colombia and the United States are part of the free world, where the people rule through their votes and elect their representatives. And there are those countries, China in particular, that have the idea that the people work for the government, or perhaps for a single party, or for a single leader. That's not how we see it; those are not our values."

President Gustavo Petro formalized Colombia's adherence to the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in early May by signing a memorandum of understanding—as announced by the government—that seeks to establish cooperation in infrastructure, trade, economics, science, technology, and the environment, and to reduce Colombia's nearly $14 billion trade deficit with the Asian giant in the short term.

The document, titled "Cooperation Plan between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the People's Republic of China," defines the general framework for collaboration between the two countries and, according to former Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, is not binding under international law.

Stay tuned for this Sunday's edition to read the U.S. ambassador's full interview with EL TIEMPO.

Juan Pablo Penagos Ramirez