US Rescinds Tariffs on Colombia Following Agreement on Deportees
The US has decided against imposing tariffs on Colombia after an agreement was reached for the country to accept deported migrants without restrictions, ending a diplomatic dispute.
The US will not proceed with tariffs on Colombia after the country agreed to accept deported migrants without restrictions, according to a statement from the White House.
Donald Trump had initially ordered 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods after Colombian President Gustavo Petro prohibited two US military deportation flights from landing in the country.
Petro had stated that his country would accept deportees on "civilian planes, without treating them like criminals." However, the White House announced that Colombia has now agreed to accept migrants arriving on US military aircraft "without limitation or delay." Colombia has committed to treating repatriated citizens with dignity.
Following the initial denial of entry to US military flights, Trump declared "urgent and decisive retaliatory measures" via his social media platform, Truth Social, including tariffs and visa sanctions.
In response, Petro announced his own tariffs and emphasized Colombia's heritage and resilience in a post on X, stating, "Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world."
Within hours, the two parties seemed to have reached an agreement. The White House stated that Colombia had agreed to "all of President Trump's demands." Trump's proposed tariffs had been "fully drafted" and would be implemented if Colombia fails to uphold the agreement.
Additionally, Trump mentioned visa sanctions and enhanced inspections for Colombians at the US border, which will stay in effect "until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned," according to the White House.
