Colombia and the United States have reached an agreement to avert a looming trade war after intense negotiations surrounding deportation flights. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia and the Trump administration have been at odds over the return of Colombian deportees via US military flights. The US administration had threatened to impose substantial tariffs on Colombian goods if Colombia did not comply with their demands.
Colombia's main exports to the US, which include oil, coffee, and cut flowers, were at risk of being subjected to a 25% tariff increase, with the possibility of tariffs rising to 50% if Colombia failed to comply within a week. Trade between the two nations amounted to $53.5 billion in 2022, underscoring the significance of this economic relationship. The US has also provided billions in military aid and training to Colombia's security forces over the years.
Tensions escalated when President Petro ordered that deportees should not be returned on US military flights. This resulted in barring two such planes from landing in Colombia. The Trump administration responded by threatening punitive tariffs on Colombian exports. In a statement, President Petro declared, "the US can't treat Colombian migrants like criminals," emphasizing his stance against the use of military flights for deportations.
Negotiations between the two countries led to an agreement, with Colombia agreeing to accept returned citizens. Colombia's Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that the nations had "overcome the impasse," allowing deportation flights to resume. However, visa restrictions on Colombian government officials will remain until the first planeload of deportees lands in Colombia.
"Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again." – Karoline Leavitt
Karoline Leavitt, representing the White House, emphasized that the agreement with Colombia was a triumph for President Trump's hard-line approach on immigration.
"expects all other nations of the world to fully co-operate in accepting deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States" – Karoline Leavitt
The Trump administration had previously warned that it would impose tariffs if Colombia failed to accept deportees, a move that threatened the economic relationship between the two countries. President Petro countered by stating he would match any US-imposed tariffs.
"Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world" – Donald Trump
President Trump's statement reflected his confidence in negotiating terms favorable to US interests, while also acknowledging Colombia's significance on the global stage.
In 2024 alone, 124 planes carrying deported migrants from the US landed in Colombia. Despite having accepted such flights in the past, this recent conflict arose from President Petro's decision to bar military planes, which he described as a sovereign decision.
"barred US planes carrying Colombian migrants from entering our territory" – Gustavo Petro
President Petro's actions were seen as an assertion of Colombia's sovereignty and a call for respectful treatment of its citizens abroad.
"held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honour this agreement" – Karoline Leavitt
The agreement between Colombia and the US was reached with an understanding that punitive measures would remain on hold unless Colombia reneged on its commitments. This resolution comes as a relief to many sectors reliant on trade between the two nations.