President Trump has agreed to hold off on imposing steep tariffs on Colombia after the country’s government agreed to accept deported migrants being returned on military planes.
This decision comes after a tense standoff between the two nations, with Trump vowing to impose a 25% tariff on Colombian goods and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro responding with a threat to impose a 50% tariff on U.S. goods.
The dispute began when Colombia blocked U.S. deportation flights, objecting to the use of military planes to transport migrants. Trump’s administration saw this as a violation of Colombia’s obligations to accept repatriation flights.
However, Colombia’s government argued that using military planes treated migrants as criminals and demanded a more dignified protocol for their return.
Under the new agreement, Colombia will accept deported migrants on U.S. military aircraft, and in return, the U.S. will hold off on imposing tariffs.
The agreement also includes the continuation of visa sanctions and enhanced customs inspections until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.
