The US President Trump had announced tariffs against Colombia right after taking over office as the President. The tariffs consisted of a hike of almost 20% on international imports coming from Colombia to the USA. This includes products like aluminium, gold and oil. However, the Colombian President’s response towards this decision has been very unfavorable. So let’s see what the Colombian President did in response to the US President’s decisions and what it means regarding the latter’s international relations.
What Happened Between the USA and Colombia?
Colombia and the USA always enjoyed good international relations. This was mainly because corporations from Colombia acted as some of the most reliable suppliers of natural resources of the best quality and at low prices. However, unlike his predecessors, Donald Trump does not seem to believe in acting friendly with other nations. In fact, he himself stated that he views all other nations with suspicion and so would impose tariffs on products coming from them as a means of control.
This decision was not supported by anyone which not only includes other nations and opposing parties but also from Trump’s own fellow Party members. However, the most unique response was that from the Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
Mr. Petro decided to turn back the aeroplane coming from the US carrying illegal Colombian immigrants just a few days ago. He also posted tweets on X which showed his anger towards the USA regarding the increasing tariff rates. In response to this, Donald Trump threatened to increase the tariff rates by more than 25% if the Colombian President did not comply with the US’s decisions. Seeing this, the Colombian President finally decided to agree with the US’s plans and sent an aeroplane to this country to take back all immigrants.
Meaning of the USA-Colombia Ordeal
The Colombian President’s change in decision shows that the nation probably fears retaliation from the USA. In fact, it is understandable since Colombia does not have a military force that is strong enough to compete with the USA. Hence, the nation’s government found itself powerless when Donald Trump announced that he will increase the tariff rates.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the nation cannot take any action against the USA in the future. In fact, other South American countries like Brazil have expressed their anger and criticism towards the American President’s actions. The governments of these nations have also stated that they will assist Colombia if the USA does something that will harm the nation’s economic stability and safety. They are also ready to supply military power and arsenal to this nation as well in order to fight the US.
Many immigrants who were deported to Colombia by the US government have stated that the military treated them like terrorists. They stated that the military had bound their hands and forced them to walk into the aeroplane and gave them no food or water. In fact, many of the immigrants also said that they were not living in the USA illegally as well and possessed legal citizenship documents. They have pleaded to Mr. Gustavo to take action against the US government for such harsh and inhuman treatment.
All of these instances show that Donald Trump’s actions are going to disrupt and ruin international ties between the USA and other countries. His questionable and downright horrendous policies are causing other countries to get angry towards the US government. Even many common Americans and Trump supporters are also now stating that whatever he is doing is not for the country’s good.
Concluding Remarks
It is clear that Donald Trump is not doing a very good job as a President. In fact, he is abusing his power and making himself look like a bully in front of other countries. His actions regarding the Colombian immigrants and increasing tariffs will cause the USA to lose out many valuable business partners. In fact, Trump’s constant threats to other countries might just backfire on him if those threatened by him somehow find a way to attack the USA. Hence, Donald Trump must stop using controversial courses of actions for his country’s own good.
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