Trump Lifts Tariff Threats After Migrant Repatriation Deal With Colombia
The United States announced on Sunday night that Columbia has agreed to accept its deported migrants following a standoff that saw U.S. military planes blocked from landing in Colombia earlier in the day.
On Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro blocked two U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants from landing, stating that the U.S. “cannot treat Colombian migrants like criminals.”
In response, U.S. President Donald Trump, among other sanctions, imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming into the U.S., stating that it would increase to 50% in a week.
He also imposed a travel ban and immediate visa revocations on all Colombian government officials, allies and supporters.
According to Trump, “Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States.”
Colombia retaliated with threats, with Petro warning of a 25 per cent tariff increase on U.S. goods.
While he objected to the use of military aircraft and the treatment of deportees, he indicated a willingness to accept migrants transported on civilian planes.
However, in a statement released on Sunday night, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that both nations had reached an agreement allowing the “unrestricted acceptance” of Colombian migrants, “including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”
Leavitt said the U.S. would not sign the tariffs or economic sanctions Trump ordered “unless Colombia fails to honour this agreement.”
According to her, tariffs and financial sanctions will be paused, but visa sanctions against Colombian officials and stricter customs inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo ships ordered by Trump earlier Sunday will remain in effect “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed shortly after the White House’s statement that deportation flights had resumed.
The standoff marks Trump’s first major diplomatic clash over immigration policy since taking office last week.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Petro of initially authorising the flights only to revoke permission when the planes were already en route. “President Petro approved the flights and then changed his mind mid-air. We are unwavering in our commitment to border security,” Rubio said.
But Petro denied granting prior approval, stating that she “will never allow Colombians to be brought in handcuffs on military flights,” urging U.S. citizens living in Colombia illegally to also regularize their status.
The U.S. had recently begun using military aircraft to repatriate migrants, a controversial move that has raised criticism from other countries, including Mexico and Brazil.
The move is part of Trump’s aggressive immigration policy, which, according to him, will reduce the crime rates in the country.
Trump Lifts Tariff Threats After Migrant Repatriation Deal With Colombia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
