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Colombia refused flights carrying deported migrants. Then Trump ordered tariffs.

The White House claimed victory in a showdown with Colombia over accepting flights of deported migrants from the United States on Jan. 26, hours after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on imports and other sanctions on the longtime U.S. partner.

Long close partners in anti-narcotics efforts, the U.S. and Colombia clashed on Jan. 26 over the deportation of migrants and imposed tariffs on each other’s goods in a show of what other countries could face if they intervene in the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The White House held up the episode as a warning to other nations who might seek to impede his plans.

Earlier, the U.S. president had ordered visa restrictions, 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would be raised to 50% in one week, and other retaliatory measures sparked by President Gustavo Petro’s decision to reject two Colombia-bound U.S. military aircraft carrying migrants after Mr. Petro accused Mr. Trump of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportation. Mr. Petro also announced a retaliatory 25% increase in Colombian tariffs on U.S. goods.

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