WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Colombia comes at a particularly challenging moment, as discussions about the South American nation’s acceptance of flights carrying deported immigrants have intensified. This situation arises just three weeks before Valentine’s Day, a critical period for Colombia, which is the leading supplier of cut flowers to the United States.
However, it appears that those anticipating romantic gestures will not suffer the consequences of a looming trade dispute. The White House announced on Sunday that Colombia had agreed to allow the deportation flights to land, reversing its stance mere hours after Trump’s tariff threat and potential visa restrictions were publicized against the long-standing South American ally.
According to the White House, while the tariffs on Colombian exports have been postponed, visa restrictions on Colombian officials as well as heightened customs inspections will continue “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
Previously, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had rejected two U.S. military aircraft carrying migrants back to Colombia. He criticized Trump for failing to regard the dignity of immigrants during their deportation and signaled the possibility of retaliating against U.S. goods with a proposed 25% tariff increase on Colombian imports.
Late on Sunday, the Colombian government expressed that the deadlock had concluded. Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo stated, “We have overcome the impasse with the United States government. We will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights.”
The United States stands as Colombia’s largest export market, yet it constitutes just 0.5% of American goods imports, ranking as the 26th largest supplier of goods to the U.S. Last year, the U.S. enjoyed a $1 billion trade surplus with Colombia from January through November, with American exports reaching $17.2 billion, including commodities like soybeans and cotton, surpassing imports of $16.2 billion.
Colombia’s primary exports to the United States include:
Flowers:
From January to November, the U.S. imported over $1.14 billion worth of cut flowers from Colombia, a figure that exceeds the total for the entirety of 2023, according to the USDA. The country offers an optimal climate and soil for cultivating various flowers, such as roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, particularly in the savanna region around Bogotá, characterized by mild temperatures, 12-hour sunlight days, and a year-round growing season. U.S. government aid has played a significant role in supporting the Colombian flower industry, creating job opportunities for those affected by violence related to terrorism and drug trafficking.
Coffee:
Colombia ranks as the second-largest supplier of coffee to the U.S., following Brazil. According to the USDA, U.S. coffee imports from Colombia totaled $1.4 billion from January to November 2024, reflecting a slight decrease from the same timeframe in 2023. Colombian coffee has been promoted in the United States for decades, famously featuring the character Juan Valdez, often depicted with sacks of coffee beans.
Crude Oil:
Colombia’s top export to the United States is crude oil, with the U.S. importing approximately 70 million barrels worth nearly $5.4 billion through November. In 2023, imports of Colombian crude oil amounted to $5.6 billion. Colombia stands as the sixth-largest source of crude oil for the U.S., contributing just over 3% of total oil imports in 2023. Ecopetrol, Colombia’s leading oil company, is listed among the Fortune 500 as one of the largest companies globally.
