Donald Trump has declared the imposition of secondary tariffs on Venezuela and any nation purchasing two specific goods from them.
Using his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump announced the implementation of ‘secondary tariffs’ on two goods from Venezuela due to ‘numerous reasons.’
He attributed the decision to issues such as immigration and crime, imposing a 25 percent tariff. Trump accused Venezuela of ‘purposefully and deceitfully’ sending numerous alleged ‘undercover’ gang members and ‘murderers’ to the United States.
His plan not only targets Venezuela with these tariffs but also extends to imposing a 25 percent tariff on countries importing oil and gas from Venezuela, starting April 2.
This decision follows Trump’s February pledge to revoke a license that allowed Venezuela to export some of its oil to the US, as reported by the BBC, marking a significant economic impact on Venezuela.
Trump stated today (Monday, March 24): “President Donald J. Trump announced today that the United States of America will be putting what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela, for numerous reasons, including the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature.”
He further added: “Among the gangs they sent to the United States, is Tren de Aragua, which has been given the designation of ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization.'”
Trump declared the US plans to deport these individuals back to Venezuela, acknowledging it as a ‘big task.’
Recently, over 250 alleged criminals with ties to the Venezuelan criminal group, Tren de Aragua, were transferred to the notorious El Salvador mega-jail under an unusual 18th-century wartime legislation.
Trump continued: “In addition, Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse. Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country.
“All documentation will be signed and registered, and the Tariff will take place on April 2nd, 2025, LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA. Please let this notification serve to represent that the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and all other Law Enforcement Agencies within our Country have been so notified. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez previously stated that US sanctions have increased the number of its citizens crossing US borders, according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, Trump seems to be persisting with his ongoing trade conflicts involving Canada, China, Mexico, and the European Union.