Colombia and US Avoid Trade War After Deportation Flight Standoff

A potential trade war between the US and Colombia has been avoided after Colombian President Gustavo Petro agreed to allow deported migrants to return to Colombia on US military aircraft. 

The initial conflict began on Sunday when Colombia refused to let US military planes carrying deported Colombians land in the country. Petro justified the decision by demanding that the US treat Colombian migrants with "dignity and respect," especially after reports of deportees being handcuffed and restrained on flights to Brazil. 

Petro, in a post on X, said, "I cannot allow migrants to remain in a country that does not want them; but if that country sends them back, it must be with dignity and respect for them and for our country."

Trump quickly retaliated, threatening Colombia with 25% emergency tariffs on all imports, which would increase to 50% in a week, as well as travel bans and visa revocations for Colombian officials. Trump expressed his frustration on Truth Social, declaring, "These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations."

Petro’s defiant stance led to a series of social media exchanges between the two leaders. While the Colombian president promised to impose retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on US goods, Trump stood firm, warning that Colombia’s refusal would "jeopardise the national security and public safety" of the US.

However, behind the scenes, diplomatic efforts were underway. In a late-night announcement, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed that the two countries had reached an agreement. Petro’s government would now accept deported Colombians without further delay. The White House hailed the deal as a win for Trump’s hardline stance, declaring that all of Colombia’s obligations regarding deportations would be honored.

Despite the resolution, tensions remain high. The Trump administration indicated that visa sanctions on Colombian officials would remain in place until the first deportation flight arrived in Colombia. The trade war, had it escalated, would have harmed both countries, with Colombia being the US's biggest trade partner in the region. Colombian exports such as oil, coffee, and flowers would have faced crippling tariffs, affecting both producers in Colombia and consumers in the US.

The diplomatic victory is seen as a significant moment for Trump’s immigration policies, which have often sparked international controversy. Yet, experts warn that such aggressive tactics might push Latin American nations to seek alternative global partners to avoid becoming too dependent on the US.

In Colombia, some critics argue that Petro’s initial resistance was an unnecessary escalation. Former Colombian President Ivan Duque criticized Petro’s handling of the situation, warning of long-term consequences for the economy. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in the US, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also voiced concerns, noting that tariffs would burden American consumers. Despite these challenges, both countries seem committed to moving forward and avoiding further economic conflict.

This episode highlights the delicate balance between maintaining strong diplomatic relations and navigating the complexities of immigration policy. Colombia, a long-time ally of the US, will now focus on implementing the terms of the agreement, while the US will continue to monitor compliance in the coming weeks.