The Andean Community scrutinizes its steel safeguard 

Colombia is facing a significant legal review before the Andean Court of Justice (ACJ), which is assessing whether the country breached core regional trade rules by imposing, through Decree 1227 of 2024, a 14.5% tariff safeguard on certain steel imports originating from Andean Community member countries. The case, brought by the Ecuadorian Institute of Cement and Concrete (INECYC), raises a fundamental issue: whether Colombia introduced a trade barrier incompatible with the Cartagena Agreement’s Trade Liberalization Program—which prohibits restrictions on intra-community trade—and whether it implemented corrective measures without the required prior community authorization.