After President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and other punitive measures, Columbia backed down and agreed to accept its citizens who illegally immigrated to the U.S.
Trump on Sunday said the U.S. would impose tariffs on Colombia after the South American nation refused to allow a plane carrying illegal immigrants from the U.S. to land.
But soon after the threat, Colombian President Gustavo Petro conceded and agreed to allow deportation planes from the U.S. to land in the South American country.
“Based on this agreement, the fully drafted IEEPA tariffs and sanctions will be held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement,” a statement from the White House said. “The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
Trump had said the U.S. would immediately impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods, but would increase that to 50% in a week, presumably if the country didn’t change its position.
Trump and his new border czar, Tom Homan, vowed to round up foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally and deport them back to their home countries, with violent criminals the priority.
Trump also has threatened to use tariffs as a negotiating tactic against foreign nations that don’t cooperate with the U.S.
