US suspends tariffs after Colombia accepts deportation flights

The United States will not continue with tariffs on Colombia, after the country agreed to accept, without restrictions, deported immigrants, says the White House.

Donald Trump had ordered 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods after his president banned two US military deportation flights from landing in the country on Sunday.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro had initially responded by saying that his country would accept deportees on “civilian planes, without treating them as criminals.”

A White House statement said Columbia has now agreed to accept migrants arriving on U.S. military aircraft “without limitation or delay.” Colombia says Washington agreed to treat repatriated citizens with dignity.

On Sunday, Petro had denied entry to US military deportation flights, saying migrants should be returned “with dignity and respect.”

In response, Trump announced “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures” in a post on his Truth Social social media site, including visa fees and sanctions.

Petro responded on X in a post announcing its own rates and celebrating Colombia’s heritage and resilience.

“Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, in addition to being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world,” he said.

Within hours, the two sides appeared to have resolved the row. The White House said Columbia had agreed to “all of President Trump’s demands.”

Trump’s proposed tariffs had been “fully drafted” and would still be implemented if Colombia does not honor this agreement, according to the White House.

Trump had also announced visa sanctions and enhanced inspections on Colombians at the border. They will remain in place “until the first round of deported Colombians is successfully returned,” the White House said.