The US steel industry is pushing for stricter trade rules under the USMCA and trade defense mechanisms.
What is the USMCA and why does it matter for steel? Representatives of the U.S. steel industry appeared before Congress at the “State of Steel” hearing, where they reiterated the importance of the tariff increase adopted in 2025 under Section 232. During their remarks, they emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening existing trade rules with Mexico and […]
The United States implements a 25% tariff on imports of semiconductors and related products
What is the 25% tariff on semiconductors? On January 14, 2026, the President of the United States signed a proclamation adopting a 25% tariff under Section 232 on imports of advanced semiconductors and related products, effective January 15, 2026. The investigation identified a dependency […]
Confidence for expansion
Global Transformation and New Challenges for SMEs The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation marked by geopolitical tensions, the rise of new powers, technological transition, and the accelerated reorganization of global value chains. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of this change: they must adapt to a […]
Customs due diligence: a key element in M&A operations in foreign trade
What is customs due diligence? In mergers and acquisitions involving companies engaged in foreign trade, the customs component is often one of the most decisive factors. Insufficient analysis in this area can jeopardize the viability of the entire operation, whether due to contingencies such as administrative sanctions, loss of authorizations, or other issues.
New US tariff exclusion benefits agricultural products
What is the agricultural tariff exclusion in the U.S.? On November 14, 2025, the United States issued a new Executive Order introducing further adjustments to the reciprocal tariff regime initially established by Executive Order 14257 of April 2025. In this update, President Donald Trump determined that it was necessary to exclude certain […]
Circular economy and waste treatment in the Free Trade Zone
Colombian free trade zones have become major drivers of the circular economy and sustainability, structuring and promoting processes of industrial symbiosis, energy efficiency, and waste management, replacing the linear logic of “produce-use-dispose” with that of “produce-use-reuse.” They are even moving forward today to align themselves with the Eco-Industrial Parks model developed by UNIDO, the […]
Integration of the popular economy into the Franco regime
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Importance of free trade zones for SMEs Current situation: 90% of users are SMEs The popular economy and its definition in the draft regulations What is meant by the "popular economy"? Broad inclusion: informal activities and microenterprises Challenges of applying the regime to the popular economy Lack of specific criteria (size, formalization, income) Difficulties of […]