President Donald Trump introduced Sunday that he’ll, not less than for now, maintain off on his egregious menace to impose tariffs on Colombia after the nation agreed to simply accept deported migrants, who have been being returned to the nation by U.S. navy planes.
Notably, this transfer represented a flip from Trump’s plan simply hours prior. Earlier on Sunday, he vowed to impose steep tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after it turned away two deportation flights.
At one level, it appeared like we have been headed towards a commerce struggle. That was narrowly averted, although, after Colombian President Gustavo Petro agreed to simply accept the deportees. Trump, after all, claimed victory and stated that the South American nation had caved to his authoritarian calls for.
The conflict displays how the Trump administration is able to make examples of international international locations that try to impede on his plans, particularly these that may doubtless goal immigrants in search of asylum or shelter in america.
So how did we get right here—and is a commerce struggle looming?
Trump hasn’t been shy about his intent to deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, saying a flurry of government actions concentrating on immigrants on Day One among his second time period.
However international nations aren’t essentially on board with Trump’s hardline plans. On Sunday, Petro refused to let two U.S. navy aircrafts, which have been carrying deported Colombian immigrants, land on Colombian soil, as he demanded the deportees to be handled humanely as an alternative of as political props.
“A migrant is not a criminal and should be treated with the dignity a human being deserves,” Petro posted on social media. “We will receive our nationals in civilian airplanes, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected.”
In a separate put up, Petro shared a video of immigrants, who have been reportedly despatched again to Brazil, strolling on an airplane tarmac with restraints round their arms and ft.
It’s vital to notice that Petro didn’t refuse to take again the Colombian immigrants. In keeping with knowledge from Witness on the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight knowledge, Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights between 2020 and 2024, making it the fifth nation to simply accept essentially the most deportation flights behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador.
Petro’s concern with accepting deportation flights this go-around was how these immigrants have been introduced again. Petro needed them to be returned through presidential airplane or nonmilitary flight, arguing that it will be extra dignified than how Trump and his cronies most well-liked to function.
However since Trump’s previous statements counsel he cares little—if in any respect—in regards to the remedy of non-U.S. residents, the request to deal with immigrants with an oz of decency was one which he couldn’t settle for. Following Petro’s social media posts, Trump instigated a commerce struggle by threatening Colombia with tariffs and sanctions.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on Fact Social. “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!”
Throughout a back-and-forth between U.S. and Colombian officers, Trump upped his threats and ordered a 25% tariff on all Colombian items getting into america. After one week, he stated, tariffs would then be raised to 50%.
Trump additionally stated that he would impose “visa sanctions” and a “travel ban and immediate visa revocations” on Colombian authorities officers and their allies whereas implementing even stricter border inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo.
In response, Petro posted a sequence of defiant messages, through which he promised a retaliatory 25% tariff on all U.S. items.
“Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world,” he wrote.
The 2 sides have reached—not less than for now—what reads like a shaky settlement.
Late Sunday, Colombian Overseas Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo stated the 2 nations have “overcome the impasse.” Because of this, Colombia would settle for its residents who’re deported from america through navy planes. However sooner or later, Murillo famous that Colombia’s presidential plane can be obtainable to facilitate the return of immigrants.
In fact, the Trump administration put its personal spin on the information. In a press release on Sunday, the White Home stated that, since Petro had agreed to all of Trump’s phrases, the tariffs and sanctions Trump as soon as threatened can be “held in reserve.” The visa sanctions, nonetheless, would stay in impact till the primary planeload of deportees arrive in Colombia.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated.
It must be famous {that a} commerce struggle would have had enormous implications. In keeping with the Related Press, Colombia is the fourth-largest abroad provider of crude oil to america. Imposing tariffs would additionally make gadgets similar to fresh-cut flowers and low dearer for U.S. customers. In spite of everything, Colombia accounts for 20% of espresso shipped to america, in accordance with the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
And Colombia would have additionally suffered, as america is the nation’s largest buying and selling accomplice.
However now we all know what occurs when international locations refuse to bow to Trump’s threats: Not solely will he throw a really public tantrum, however he’ll impulsively threaten a really costly commerce struggle till he will get his manner.
Simply take a look at Canada and Mexico. We knew that Trump was impetuous and petty and held grudges in opposition to anybody who dares to cross him, however this newest episode exhibits simply how unhinged Trump can be throughout his second time period.
