Oct. 28 2024 U.S. Congressional Letter to USTR on Colombia Vehicle Standards

Ambassador Katherine Tai
United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20508

Ambassador Tai:

October 29, 2024

We write to express concern regarding imminent plans by the Government of the Republic of Colombia (Colombia) to reverse its longstanding policy of accepting vehicles certified to U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (U.S. FMVSS). In doing so, Colombia would be placing an unnecessary and unjustified barrier on U.S. automotive exports, undermining the goals of our bilateral trade agreement to the detriment of American auto workers and manufacturers.

It is concerning this course of action is being taken by Colombia, a country with whom the U.S. shares a binding trade agreement, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA). The CTPA was aimed at creating new opportunities for American workers and manufacturers, growing jobs, and expanding consumer choice. Colombian customers should be allowed to continue to enjoy access to U.S. designed and tested vehicles built by American auto workers, which are as safe as, or safer than, vehicles built anywhere else in the world.

Furthermore, U.S. automotive exports to South America already face the significant challenge of competing with state-subsidized vehicle manufacturers from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) seeking to dominate the global auto market. The measures under consideration by Colombia could also make it harder for American workers and manufacturers to compete, not only with state-backed PRC firms, but also with European, Japanese, and Korean companies, in markets across the Western Hemisphere.

Millions of American families trust vehicles built by American auto workers to keep them safe. There is no justification for Colombia reversing its longstanding policy of accepting vehicles certified to U.S. FMVSS.

To this end, we request that your office urgently engage with the Government of Colombia on this matter, as this unnecessary barrier to U.S. automotive exports is expected to enter into force on November 1, 2024.

Sincerely,