Since this post was published on January 26, 2025, the White House announced that the US and Colombian governments had reached an agreement on flights carrying individuals deported from the United States and paused efforts to impose the measures described above. Stay tuned for a blog post with insights and practical tips for trade between Colombia and the United States.
On January 26, 2025, via the social media platform Truth Social, President Donald J. Trump announced five “immediate, urgent and decisive retaliatory measures” against Colombia. President Trump’s announcement came in response to Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to authorize the entry of military flights carrying individuals deported from the United States. President Trump justified the imposition of these measures by claiming that the Colombian government’s refusal to accept deported Colombian nationals pose a significant threat to US national security and public safety.
The measures President Trump announced are as follows:
- Emergency tariffs: A 25% tariff on all Colombian imports to the United States, which would escalate to 50% in one week;
- Travel Ban: Immediate prohibition on travel to the United States and cancellation of visas for Colombian government officials, their allies, and supporters;
- Visa Sanctions: Restrictions on party members, family members, and supporters of the Colombian government;
- Enhanced Inspections: Heightened US Customs and Border Protection inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo under national security grounds; and
- Financial Sanctions: US Treasury-enforced banking and financial restrictions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”).
The US State Department has already announced “travel sanctions on individuals and their families, who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations.” The full reach of these other measures remains unclear and may depend on the scope of tariffs and other measures that are formally announced by the US government. While executive orders have yet to be officially published, enforcement could begin immediately under IEEPA’s broad authority to address an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US interests.
In response to these measures, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced via his Twitter account the immediate imposition of a 25% tariff on imports originating from the United States, which will escalate to 50%.
These actions effectively sideline protections under the longstanding US–Colombia Free Trade Agreement. They invoke national security concerns to justify their application, which are exempt from the concessions and commitments in the US–Colombia Free Trade Agreement pursuant to Article 22.2. Baker McKenzie has extensive experience with assisting clients navigate and mitigate tariffs, as well as understand and comply complex economic sanctions regimes and restrictions. We are closely monitoring these developments and will be updating this blog as new developments are announced.
