WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. President, Donald Trump, has announced on Monday that his administration will impose a 25pc tariff on any country importing oil or gas from Venezuela, further escalating his aggressive economic and diplomatic policies.
The announcement comes as part of Trump’s renewed campaign against Venezuela, which also includes deportation actions and increased tariffs on multiple trading partners.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Venezuela of being hostile to the United States and undermining the values of freedom.
“Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the freedoms which we espouse,” he wrote. “Therefore, any country that purchases oil and/or gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a tariff of 25pc to the United States on any trade they do with our country.”
The tariff threat comes as the U.S. and Venezuela navigate a fraught relationship over deportation agreements.
Last month, Trump’s administration suspended deportation flights to Venezuela, claiming Caracas failed to honor a deal to accept repatriated migrants. Venezuela responded by refusing to receive any deportees.
On Saturday, however, the two nations reached a new agreement, resulting in nearly 200 Venezuelan citizens being deported via Honduras.
The deal followed a controversial incident on March 16, where over 200 alleged members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang were flown to a maximum-security prison and forced labor camp in El Salvador under Trump’s invocation of wartime powers.
Trump justified these actions by accusing Venezuela of deliberately sending criminals to the U.S.
“Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high-level, and other, criminals,” he stated.
The 25pc tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil is slated to take effect on April 2, a date Trump referred to as “Liberation Day in America.”
The moniker signifies his administration’s push to implement reciprocal tariffs on trading partners accused of unfair practices.
Trump’s broader tariff strategy has targeted both allies and rivals, including China, Canada, and Mexico, citing trade imbalances and their failure to curb the flow of illicit fentanyl into the U.S.
Earlier this month, his administration dealt a severe blow to Venezuela’s economy by ordering energy giant Chevron to cease operations in the country within 30 days.
The new tariff policy has the potential to further isolate Venezuela on the global stage while creating ripple effects in international energy markets.
Analysts warn that the move could strain relations with U.S. allies who rely on Venezuelan oil.
