LOS ANGELES.–President Donald Trump, 78, faced his first global confrontation with Colombia with the U.S. ally refused to accept a military flight containing deported U.S. migrants. Colombia objected initially that the migrants were not returned on civilian aircraft, a technicality for sure for Colombia President Gustavo Petro. Petro has been a vocal critic on his X account of Trump saying he would “wipe out the human species because of greed,” accusing Trump of considering Colombians an “inferior race.” Petro also knows that the Colombian economy depends heavily on U.S. trade with 27% of coffee purchased from Columbia, amounting to $2 billion in trade. Colombia also exports bananas, crude oid, avocados and flowers to the U.S., accounting for another $28 billion in export trade. Total trade with Colombia is $58 billion, leaving the U.S. with a $4 billion trade surplus.
Whatever Petro’s socialist views, he knows he walks a razor’s edge trying to buck Trump’s current immigration policy, controversial in Latin America because so many attempted immigrants come from South, Central America and Mexico. Petro’s initial decision to stop U.S. military immigration flights was met with threats of 25% tariffs forcing Petro to back down. Petro knows without U.S. trade, Colombia would plunge into recession. Domestic opposition from Trump economic and immigration polices come from Democrats and the fake news, opposing anything recommended by Trump. Trump said he would initiate a travel ban and “immediate visa revocations,” something that gave Petro second thoughts. Foreign governments are seeing very different immigration and trade policies under Trump, realizing that he’s now in charge after one week in office.
White House officials announced that military flights resumed “without limitation or delay,” showing that foreign countries confronting Trump face big obstacles. “We will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Democrats and the press had the public panicked over possible increase in coffee prices, typically filtered down to its biggest suppliers like Starbucks or mass grocers like Trader Joes. But Colombia’s decision to back down showed that Trump knows how to play the global trade wars with uncooperative countries. Petro backed down because he depends so heavily on U.S. trade for the Colombian economy. Other countries around the world watched the brief confrontation with Trump disappear quickly.
Democrats and the fake news oppose Trump’s use of tariffs, errantly reporting that tariffs only raise prices and accomplish nothing. Well, why don’t Democrats and the corrupt press criticize foreign countries like Canada, Mexico, Europe or Asia from slapping tariffs on U.S. goods? Fake news uses the tariff issue as part of resistance against Trump. Trump’s immigration and trade moves have only made U.S. national security stronger. So, why would Democrats and the fake news oppose his efforts as president to strengthen U.S. foreign policy and national security? Biden’s economic and foreign policy damage U.S. national security putting the U.S. at the mercy of global trade institutions, extorting money from the U.S. for climate change and other social causes. Trump is trying to promote peace in Europe and prosperity around the globe.
Petro is a big advocate in Latin America for open borders, opposed to U.S. immigration policy that attempts to keep undocumented immigrants from flooding the U.S. border. “From today on, Colombia is open to the entire world, with open arms,” contrasting himself with Trump but knowing that Colombia offers immigrants little in the way of jobs or economic security. Colombia has unemployment rate of 8%, actually low for most Latin American countries. Keeping the trading flowing with the U.S. is a top priority to keep Colombians employed. Last thing Petro wants is a trade war with the United States, gladly accepting immigration flights whether civilian for military. Trump wants Petro do clamp down on immigration flows through the Darien Gap just north of the Panama border. Petro could help stop immigration traffic coming from his country.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
