Trump imposes tariffs, sanctions on Colombia after it refuses deportation flights

U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide detained migrants to board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Thursday. | DoD photo

by PHIL STEWART AND OLIVER GRIFFIN
January 27, 2025

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Sunday he will impose sweeping retaliatory measures on Colombia, including tariffs and sanctions, after the South American country turned away two U.S. military aircraft with migrants being deported as part of the new U.S. administration's immigration crackdown.

Colombia, America's third largest trading partner in Latin America, swiftly responded, threatening a 50% tariff on U.S. goods.

Trump's punitive action appeared aimed at making an example of Colombia, the second case of a Latin American nation refusing U.S. military deportation flights. It was a demonstration of a more muscular U.S. foreign policy and showed a renewed willingness by Trump to force other countries to bend to his will.