Economy
Trump reverses course on Colombia tariffs
Written by Ethan Bernard
January 27, 2025
The Trump administration has backed off tariffs on Colombia after the White House said the leader of the Latin American nation agreed to President Trump’s demands.
“The Government of Colombia has agreed to President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States… without limitation or delay,” according to a statement released by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Sunday evening.
Recall that President Trump had placed 25% tariffs on Colombia earlier in the day, and threatened 50%, as well as other sanctions. This came as a result of Colombian President Gustavo Petro turning away US aircraft carrying illegal migrants back to the nation.
The statement, released on X, noted that the fully drafted International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs and sanctions “will be held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor the agreement.”
Visa sanctions issued by the State Department, meanwhile, “will remain in place until the first planeload of Colombian immigrants is successfully returned.”
Leavitt added that President Trump “will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty.”
It remains to be seen how this will affect other nations’ reactions as deportations from the US to Latin America and the rest of the world ramp up.
Ethan Bernard
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