The United States, under President Donald Trump, has announced tariffs and sanctions on Colombia after the South American nation denied landing rights for two U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants. These measures come as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, which he declared a national emergency on his first day in office.
Colombia, the third-largest U.S. trading partner in Latin America, responded swiftly to the tariffs, with President Gustavo Petro directing his trade minister to increase tariffs on U.S. imports by 25 percent. Petro also posted on social media that Colombia would impose a 50 percent tariff on American goods in retaliation.
Trump stated on Truth Social that Colombia’s refusal to accept the deportation flights jeopardized U.S. national security. He outlined additional measures, including 25 percent tariffs on all Colombian imports, escalating to 50 percent within a week, a travel ban on Colombian officials, visa revocations, and financial sanctions. Enhanced border inspections for Colombian nationals and cargo were also included in the response.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Colombia had initially authorized the flights but withdrew permission when the planes were already airborne. Trump declared that the U.S. would no longer tolerate countries that failed to meet their obligations in accepting deported migrants.
Colombia’s President Petro criticized Trump’s actions, arguing that migrants should not be treated as criminals. He noted that Colombia has over 15,000 undocumented Americans but does not conduct raids to return them to the U.S. Petro offered to receive deported Colombian migrants via civilian planes, contrasting the U.S. approach with his government’s.
The economic implications of these developments are significant, as Colombia relies on the U.S. for nearly one-third of its exports. The bilateral trade relationship, valued at $33.8 billion in 2023, includes Colombian exports such as crude oil, gold, coffee, and flowers, while the U.S. exports petroleum products, aircraft, corn, and soybeans to Colombia.
Experts warn that financial sanctions could have severe economic effects on Colombia. According to Alejo Czerwonko of UBS Global Wealth Management, exports to the U.S. account for approximately four percent of Colombia’s GDP.
In broader regional developments, Brazil also criticized the U.S. deportation policy after migrants were reportedly handcuffed during flights. Brazilian authorities intervened during a layover to remove restraints and provided a military aircraft to complete the deportees’ journey.
Trump’s administration has expanded the use of military aircraft for deportation flights as part of the national emergency measures. Similar flights have been conducted to Guatemala, with about 80 migrants on each flight.
