Trump To Hit Countries That Buy Venezuela’s Oil With 25% Tariff
President Donald Trump is moving forward with a new 25% tariff that will target countries buying oil or gas from Venezuela, aiming to crack down on what he called a dangerous national security threat. The tariff, which takes effect April 2, is part of what Trump is calling “Liberation Day in America.”
The decision follows Trump’s claim that Venezuela has been secretly sending violent criminals into the United States. Among the groups mentioned is Tren de Aragua, which the State Department recently labeled a foreign terrorist organization. According to Trump, these individuals were sent “undercover” and include “many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature.”
Countries that continue doing business with Venezuela’s energy sector will now be hit with the new tariff on all trade they conduct with the United States. China, which has received more than half of Venezuela’s oil exports, is expected to be one of the hardest-hit countries. India, Spain and several others may also be affected.
Trump said the tariff serves as a warning that the United States will no longer tolerate countries supporting hostile regimes while benefiting from trade with America. “Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse,” he wrote in the official announcement.
The administration also resumed deportation flights to Venezuela over the weekend. One flight reportedly included nearly 200 individuals, some of whom were linked to Tren de Aragua. According to the Department of Homeland Security, around 350 illegal aliens have now been sent back to Venezuela in recent months.
Trump’s move comes after negotiations with Chevron led the Treasury Department to delay a planned exit from Venezuela’s oil sector until May 27. The White House previously gave Chevron just 30 days to wind down operations.
The order states that the 25% tariff will remain in place for one year after a country’s last purchase of Venezuelan oil. It may be lifted earlier if the U.S. government decides to do so.
China responded to the announcement by accusing the United States of interfering in Venezuela’s affairs and called for the sanctions to be removed.
