The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has decided to increase tariffs on imports from the United States by 25% in response to the measure taken by Donald Trump, who imposed tariffs of the same percentage on Colombian products. Petro has instructed the Minister of Foreign Trade to raise tariffs as a pressure measure until a treatment is received that he considers "worthy."
In contrast, Trump has ordered to raise tariffs on Colombian products to 50% and announced visa restrictions for Petro's government and his party, as well as possible economic sanctions on the country and "inspection" measures for Colombian citizens and goods arriving in the United States.
In light of this situation, Petro has urged Colombian communities abroad to promote national products in an attempt to counteract market loss in the United States. He has mentioned the importance of substituting American products with domestic production and assured that the government will provide support in this process.
Petro had previously expressed his disagreement with some of Trump's policies, deeming a comment from the US president about Latin America as dangerous. Tensions between both countries have intensified, also manifesting in disagreements related to the sending of flights with deportees and Trump’s position on a supposed "mass expulsion of foreigners."
In the midst of this diplomatic crisis, Petro has suggested that the ministry should promote Colombian exports to other international markets, different from the United States, in order to diversify the destinations of its products. This conflict worsened when Petro did not allow the entry of two planes with deported citizens from the United States, triggering an escalation in tensions between both nations.
