US Customs and Border Protection Agents guide illegal aliens onboard a C-17 Globemaster III at the Tucson International Airport on January 23|DoD photo by Senior Airman Devlin Bishop.
The US and Colombia resolved a diplomatic feud Sunday evening.
President Donald Trump imposed tariffs and other sanctions on Colombia after its president, Gustavo Petro, barred two military planes carrying deported migrants, calling the US treatment of migrants unacceptable.
In response, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that after the South American nation decided to refuse the planes carrying deported migrants, he ordered 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods (which would go up to 50% in a week) and a travel ban for Colombian citizens, among other retaliatory measures.
If enacted, Trump’s tariffs would have proved disastrous for Colombia’s economy, and Americans would have seen higher prices for coffee (which is already expensive), bananas and other items. The US is the South American nation’s top trading partner; remittances to Colombia are estimated to be 3.4% of the country’s economy.
But late Sunday, the White House said Colombia “has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms,” including accepting all illegal migrants who arrive on US military planes. The order of tariffs won’t be signed unless Colombia decides to go back on the deal.
Experts believe that Trump would use tariffs to get his way, even with his allies.
He is also considering 25% tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China by Saturday, pressuring both nations to tighten migration controls and tackle drug trafficking.
The Southern country reinstated the “Remain-in-Mexico” policy, accepted repatriation flights and deployed its national guard to the border. Meanwhile, Canada allocated $900 million for border security enhancements, including drones and surveillance, but Trump deemed these efforts insufficient.
Economists warn such tariffs could disrupt key industries like automotive manufacturing, where cross-border supply chains are vital, potentially raising prices for US consumers.
Canada and Mexico, vital trade partners accounting for billions in exports, are preparing retaliatory tariffs, risking a major trade war.