Trump issuing ‘emergency 25% tariffs’ against Colombia after country turned back deportation flights
CNN
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced retaliatory tariffs on Colombia after its president said he blocked US military deportation flights, the first instance of Trump using economic pressure to force other nations to fall in line with his mass deportation plans since he took office last week.
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced retaliatory tariffs on Colombia after its president said he blocked US military deportation flights, the first instance of Trump using economic pressure to force other nations to fall in line with his mass deportation plans since he took office last week. Earlier in the day, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced he had blocked two US military flights carrying migrants heading toward the country and called on the United States to establish better protocols in its treatment of migrants. Petro also left the door open to receiving repatriated migrants traveling on civilian planes. Following Petro’s announcement, Trump criticized him on social media while announcing a slate of new sanctions and policies targeting Colombia, including a 25% tariff on all imports from the country, a “travel ban” for Colombian citizens, and a revocation of visas for Colombian officials in the US along with “all allies and supporters.” Trump also ordered stricter inspections of cargo shipments arriving from Colombia, along with banking and finance sanctions and visa sanctions on “all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government.” “These measures are just the beginning. 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 wrote on Truth Social. The Trump administration was caught by surprise at the military flights being rejected as they were bound for Colombia, an administration official told CNN. Colombian authorities approved the two flights before they took off, according to documents reviewed by CNN, but those plans were suddenly scrapped, frustrating Trump officials. Discussions between US and Colombian officials remain ongoing.
Pentagon is pulled into politics as leader who promised to prioritize ‘warrior culture’ takes charge
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that he and President Donald Trump want to “bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense.”