Venezuela condemns Trump’s 25% tariff on oil/gas trade as illegal sanctions, vows WTO action. Read Maduro’s response & analysis of GATT violations.

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Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs on Countries Buying Venezuelan Oil

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed its “categorical rejection” of U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s decision to impose a “secondary tariff of 25% on countries trading with Venezuela in the oil and gas sector.”

In an official statement, the Venezuelan government described the measure as a “direct aggression” and “arbitrary, illegal, and desperate,” asserting that “far from weakening our resolve, it confirms the complete failure of all sanctions imposed against our country.”

The statement denounced how “for years, the fascist right-wing, repudiated by the Venezuelan people, has promoted economic sanctions with the illusion of subduing Venezuela,” but emphasized that “they have failed.” According to the communiqué, this failure stems from the fact that “Venezuela is a sovereign nation,” its people “have resisted with dignity,” and because “the world no longer submits to any form of economic dictatorship.”

On legal grounds, Venezuela accused the U.S. of “blatantly violating international trade norms,” specifically:

• The “Most-Favored-Nation principle (Article I of GATT 1994),” which prohibits discrimination between trading partners.
• The “prohibition of quantitative restrictions (Article XI of GATT 1994),” which bars disguised trade barriers.
• The “principle of non-discrimination and fair treatment” under the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO.

The Venezuelan government warned it would “take all appropriate actions before international bodies to defend its rights” and denounce what it called a “violation of the global economic order.”

Despite these sanctions, the statement insisted that “Venezuela remains steadfast on its path,” highlighting “growth and prosperity” alongside a people who “have resisted with dignity and defeated every attempt at subjugation.” The official position was clear: “They have not and will not stop us,” declaring that the “policy of maximum pressure has failed in Venezuela and worldwide.”

The text concluded by invoking the right to “self-determination,” recalling the legacy of Simón Bolívar and affirming that the Venezuelan people “have always risen above adversity.” The final sentence encapsulated the message: “Venezuela’s path is clear—nothing and no one will stop us.”

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