Peru Pivot: Foreign Minister Espá Targets U.S. Ties and Trade Relief

Espá, a former communications director at the U.S. embassy in Lima, brings a background that suggests a policy of close alignment with the Trump administration. His immediate agenda focuses on mitigating the impact of new tariffs—ranging from 10% to 12.5%—imposed on Peruvian goods over allegations of lax forced labor enforcement. The government has already submitted legislation to Congress aimed at addressing these concerns to secure a trade reprieve. Last year, Peruvian exports to the U.S. reached $10.15 billion, with nearly half of that volume currently caught under the new tariff regime.

Beyond the U.S., the administration is moving to mend fractured regional ties. Espá announced efforts to restore diplomatic relations with Mexico and Colombia, and initiated steps to rebuild connections with Venezuela. The tension with Mexico stems from a 2023 dispute over asylum granted to officials from the ousted Pedro Castillo administration. Meanwhile, the government is deepening security cooperation with Washington by joining the Shield of the Americas, an initiative targeting transnational crime. This realignment comes as the U.S. intensifies efforts to reclaim influence in the copper-rich nation, which has increasingly drifted into China’s economic orbit.