The U.S. tariffs and sanctions have been absolutely drafted however not but signed, White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned.
America has reached an settlement with Colombia, which can now settle for all Colombian unlawful immigrants being deported by the previous nation, together with these on U.S. navy planes, in keeping with the White Home.
As an understanding has been reached, Leavitt mentioned, america will maintain in reserve the 25 p.c tariffs that have been introduced by Trump earlier on Sunday, “until Colombia fails to honor this settlement.”
The tariffs and sanctions have been absolutely drafted however not but signed, she mentioned.
The leaders of Colombia and america have been contemplating escalating right into a toe-to-toe tariff warfare on Sunday, when Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded to Trump’s introduced tariff of 25 p.c together with his personal 50 p.c tariff.
Petro introduced on the social media platform X that he was refusing to adjust to america’ calls for that he settle for repatriated Colombians as a result of “The U.S. can not deal with Colombian migrants as criminals.”
“These measures are only the start,” Trump posted on his social media platform Reality Social. “We won’t permit the Colombian authorities to violate its authorized obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they compelled into america!”
Inside just a few hours, Petro introduced a 50 p.c tariff on all U.S. items getting into Colombia in response.
Petro Approved, Then Canceled Flights: Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned it was unacceptable that Colombia refused the U.S. planes carrying their nationals from touchdown.
“It’s the duty of every nation to take again their residents who’re illegally current in america in a severe and expeditious method. … As demonstrated by immediately’s actions, we’re unwavering in our dedication to finish unlawful immigration and bolster America’s border safety.”
In a separate submit, Petro mentioned, “I’ll by no means permit Colombians to be introduced in handcuffs on flights.”
“Marco, if officers from the overseas ministry allowed this, it might by no means be beneath my path,” he mentioned.
“A migrant is just not a felony and have to be handled with the dignity {that a} human being deserves,” he wrote in a separate submit. “That’s why I turned again the U.S. navy planes that have been carrying Colombian migrants. … In civilian planes, with out being handled like criminals, we’ll obtain our fellow residents.”
The State Division issued a discover Sunday evening confirming that it has ordered the speedy suspension of U.S. visas at its embassy within the Colombian capital of Bogota, and was “authorizing journey sanctions on people and their households, who have been chargeable for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations.”
View on the entrance of the U.S. Embassy taken in Bogota, Colombia, on Jan. 26, 2025. Pablo Vera/AFP
“Measures will proceed till Colombia meets its obligations to just accept the return of its personal residents. America won’t again down relating to defending its nationwide safety pursuits,” the discover mentioned.
Leavitt mentioned in her replace that the visa sanctions issued by the State Division, in addition to enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Safety, “will stay in impact till the primary planeload of Colombian deportees is efficiently returned.”
“Right now’s occasions clarify to the world that America is revered once more,” she mentioned. “President Trump will proceed to fiercely defend our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all different nations of the world to totally cooperate in accepting the deportation of their residents illegally current in america.”
Colombia Despatched Presidential Airplane to Honduras
The Colombian president had earlier introduced that he was sending his presidential aircraft to Honduras to select up Colombian nationals who have been deported there.
Petro mentioned that his aircraft would facilitate the “dignified return of Colombian nationals who have been to reach within the nation immediately within the morning hours, coming in from deportation flights.”
Petro additionally expressed confidence in Colombia’s potential to seek out different markets to soak up the impression of the U.S. tariffs.
“The ministry ought to assist direct our exports to the entire world aside from the U.S.,” he mentioned in a submit. “Our exports ought to be expanded. I invite all Colombian overseas communities to be entrepreneurs of our merchandise.
“American merchandise whose worth will rise throughout the nationwide financial system have to be changed by nationwide manufacturing, and the federal government will assist on this regard.”
Colombia is America’s third-largest buying and selling associate in Latin America. America principally imports crude oil, lower flowers, and low from Colombia. Colombia principally imports refined petroleum, corn, and soybean meal.