Trump Unleashes 25% Tariff on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil in Bold Economic Move
In a dramatic escalation of his economic and diplomatic strategies, President Donald Trump announced Monday that any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela will face a hefty 25% tariff on all trade with the United States.
This latest move comes as Trump ramps up his broader political agenda, which includes a tough deportation policy against Venezuelans and fresh tariffs targeting a range of international trading partners.
Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has employed tariffs as a powerful tool, using them to apply pressure on both allies and adversaries.
On his Truth Social platform, he explained the rationale for the new tariffs, stating that Venezuela’s hostile stance toward the U.S. and its values made such a measure necessary.
“Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the freedoms we hold dear,” Trump wrote. “Therefore, any country purchasing oil and/or gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a 25% tariff on any trade with the United States.”
The announcement also comes amid a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations. Last month, the deportation agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela collapsed after Trump accused the Venezuelan government of failing to uphold a deal to swiftly accept deported migrants.
Venezuela had refused to accept further deportation flights, but on Saturday, a new repatriation agreement was reached, with nearly 200 Venezuelans deported via Honduras.
The deal followed a controversial decision on March 16, when Trump invoked wartime powers to expel over 200 Venezuelans alleged to be members of the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang. These individuals were flown to a maximum-security facility and forced labor camp in El Salvador.
Trump’s reasoning for the 25% tariff extends beyond Venezuela’s political hostility. He argued that Venezuela has been sending “tens of thousands of high-level criminals” to the United States covertly.
In a statement, Trump confirmed that all necessary documentation will be signed, and the tariff will take effect on April 2, 2025—a day he dubs “LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA.” This day also coincides with his plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on various countries, targeting trade practices Washington considers unfair.
The announcement comes on the heels of the U.S. government pressuring Chevron to cease its operations in Venezuela within a month, a move that strikes a severe blow to the economically struggling country.
Trump’s broader tariff policy, which has already seen levies placed on China, Canada, and Mexico, continues to redefine America’s trade strategy in an era of escalating international tensions.
