Donald Trump imposes 25 per cent tariffs on Colombia for refusing deportation flights

"I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia": Trump

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Colombia in retaliation against the country’s refusal to allow two deportation flights carrying immigrants to land.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia.”

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Here is Trump’s post.

I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people.…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 26, 2025

He criticised Colombian President Gustavo Petro, stating that the rejection of these flights has “jeopardised the National Security and Public Safety of the United States.” Trump directed his administration to take immediate and decisive retaliatory measures.

These measures include imposing an emergency 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Colombia, with a further increase to 50 per cent within a week if the situation remains unresolved.

Additional actions include a travel ban and immediate visa revocations for Colombian government officials, their allies, and supporters, along with visa sanctions on members of Petro’s party, their families, and associates.

Enhanced customs and border inspections for Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds, as well as sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were also announced.

Earlier on Sunday, Petro had taken to the social media platform X, declaring that his government would not accept deportation flights from the US unless the Trump administration established a protocol ensuring dignified treatment of migrants. Petro further urged the US to use civilian planes instead of military aircraft for these operations.

Following Trump’s tariff announcement, Petro responded on X by instructing his foreign trade minister to impose a reciprocal 25 per cent tariff on US imports.