Trump Announces Tariffs on Colombia, Cites Rejected Deportation Flights as Cause

President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he would impose “emergency” tariffs and other retaliatory measures on Colombia after the country refused to accept at least two deportation flights carrying migrants.

In a heated social media post, Trump expressed his outrage, revealing that the flights “were not allowed to land in Colombia.” He accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of endangering “the National Security and Public Safety of the United States.”

“So I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” Trump announced. The measures include “emergency 25% tariffs” on Colombian imports, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions targeting Colombian officials. “These measures are just the beginning,” Trump warned.

“We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!” The situation stems from Colombia’s sudden refusal to accept the deportation flights, a move that reportedly blindsided U.S. officials.

Trump’s administration has characterized Colombia’s actions as a breach of agreements governing the repatriation of migrants. Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded on social media, defending his government’s stance. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Petro criticized the U.S. deportation policy, arguing that the flights treated migrants as criminals and failed to address the root causes of migration.

The announcement of tariffs has drawn swift criticism from experts and lawmakers who warn that escalating tensions with Colombia, a key ally, could have far-reaching consequences. Some analysts pointed out the economic repercussions of the 25% tariffs, which are expected to increase prices for U.S. consumers on popular Colombian imports such as coffee and flowers.

Others questioned whether the measures would achieve their intended effect or simply strain relations between the two nations. Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed differing opinions on Trump’s approach. While some Republicans have praised the decisive action, others have raised concerns about the potential fallout.

Critics argue that Trump’s move risks undermining decades of cooperation with Colombia on issues like counter-narcotics efforts and regional stability. For now, the situation remains tense as both sides dig in. Trump has signaled that further actions could be on the horizon if Colombia does not reverse its stance on accepting deportation flights.

Meanwhile, Petro has shown no signs of backing down, positioning the dispute as a broader debate over how to humanely address migration challenges. As the conflict unfolds, the question remains whether diplomacy can prevail or if this marks the beginning of a prolonged standoff between the U.S. and one of its closest allies in Latin America.