Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs on Countries Buying Venezuelan Oil
President Trump during a CNN interview Photo: CNN
March 24, 2025 Hour: 1:58 pm
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would impose a 25% tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump justified the measure by claiming that Venezuela has been “hostile to the United States and the freedoms we stand for.” He stated that the tariff would apply to any trade those countries conduct with the U.S.
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Trump also alleged, without evidence, that Venezuela has deliberately sent criminals and violent gang members, including individuals from the Tren de Aragua, to the United States. These accusations align with his historically aggressive rhetoric toward the Venezuelan government.
Trade Relations Context
Trump’s announcement comes at a time when markets have shown little reaction to his threats. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Venezuela was one of the primary foreign suppliers of oil to the United States in 2024, with exports valued at $5.6 billion. However, this figure accounted for only 3% of total U.S. oil and gas imports, far behind Canada, which contributed 60% with exports worth $106 billion.
Tariffs and Escalating Trade Tensions
This latest measure adds to a series of tariffs Trump had previously proposed, including a 25% tariff on pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and timber, which were initially scheduled to take effect on April 2. Trump has referred to this date as the “day of liberation,” when he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs against other nations.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: CNN-EFE
