Columbian President Petro announces that if there will be tariffs on Columbian goods, he will add 50% tariffs on US goods, and says he will not give in to retaliation

Trump Imposes Tariffs and Visa Restrictions After Colombia Rejects Deportation Flights

President Donald Trump on Sunday announced harsh new tariffs on Colombian imports and visa restrictions in response to Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to allow U.S. military flights carrying deported Colombian migrants to land.

Petro Responds with “Dignified Return” Plan

Shortly after Trump's announcement, Petro stated that Colombia would provide a presidential plane to facilitate the "dignified return" of Colombian migrants facing deportation from the U.S.

"The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals," Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning, prompting Trump's swift response. "I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory. The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them."

Trump’s Retaliatory Measures: Tariffs, Travel Bans, and Sanctions

After learning that two repatriation flights were blocked from landing in Colombia, Trump escalated the dispute by announcing:

• 25% tariffs on all Colombian imports, set to increase to 50% within a week.
• Immediate visa revocations and a travel ban for Colombian government officials, allies, and supporters.
• Financial sanctions and enhanced customs inspections for Colombian nationals and cargo entering the U.S.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth 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!”

Trump Pushes Mass Deportations Amid Border Crackdown

Trump’s actions align with his hardline immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations of undocumented migrants. During his first week in office, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and ordered U.S. troops to assist with deportations, leading to deportees being flown back in handcuffs.

Potential Trade War as Trump Targets More Countries

Colombia’s largest exports to the U.S. include crude oil, coffee, and cut flowers, according to the State Department. Trump has also threatened tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, raising concerns of potential trade wars as his administration moves aggressively on its economic and immigration policies.