Former US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports after a diplomatic standoff with Colombian President Gustavo Petro. This came in response to Petro’s decision to block two US military planes carrying deported migrants from landing in Colombia. Trump warned that the tariffs could double to 50% within a week if no resolution is reached.
In retaliation, Petro imposed a 25% tariff on US imports, criticizing the use of military planes for deportations. He emphasized the need for dignity in handling migrants and proposed using civilian planes for deportees instead. Petro argued that migrants are not criminals and should not be treated as such.
US officials revealed that the canceled flights were scheduled to depart from San Diego. In response, Trump announced further measures, including visa restrictions and stricter inspections for Colombian nationals and goods entering the US. He accused Colombia of shirking its responsibility to accept deportees, whom he referred to as “criminals.”
Petro defended his stance on social media, celebrating Colombia’s resilience and accusing Trump of prioritizing economic power over humanity. He also pointed out the presence of over 15,000 undocumented Americans in Colombia, although this claim remains unverified.
The tariffs could have significant economic consequences. The US is a major importer of Colombian goods like coffee and bananas. Higher tariffs are expected to raise prices for American consumers and disrupt supply chains. Colombian producers may lose access to a key market, worsening economic hardships.
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policies. Trump has pursued stricter border controls, increased deportations, and reintroduced controversial measures like the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Critics warn that such policies, combined with the tariffs, could strain US-Colombia relations and hinder cooperation on migration issues.
Migration through Colombia is a critical challenge, with tens of thousands of migrants traveling north annually. The standoff between Trump and Petro threatens to derail joint efforts to address these flows and combat criminal networks that exploit migrants.
Despite rising tensions, Petro has promised to stand against what he calls Trump’s “arrogance.” He accused Trump of treating Colombians as inferior and pledged to protect Colombia’s sovereignty and dignity.
The fallout from this confrontation could have lasting implications for both nations, potentially disrupting trade, migration cooperation, and diplomatic ties.