President Trump threatens Colombia with 25% tariffs over migrant flights

There has been a big development in President Trump’s deportation plan, and it could sent ripples through the corn markets today.

Over the weekend, Colombia’s president released several flights with illegal migrants on board out of the United States. They argued migrants were not criminals, and the U.S. violated their rights.

President Trump responded with plans for 25 percent tariffs on the country, a major receiver of U.S. ag supplies, and those tariffs would increase to 50 percent after a week. However, Colombia’s president said he would accept the flights, so the tariffs have been called off.

Colombia is a major trade partner with the U.S. as they import more than a billion dollars of U.S. corn each year, making them the fourth largest export market. They are also a big provider of coffee and fresh cut flowers to the U.S.

A free trade agreement has been in place between the U.S. and Colombia since 2012, but the U.S. has the right to take action if there is a national security threat.

Related Stories
Tariff relief and new trade agreements may temper food costs by reducing import costs.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.
While this month’s WASDE report will not include updated figures on U.S. crop size, officials say it will offer a clearer picture of crop conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
Mike Steenhoek, with the Soy Transportation Commission, shares his outlook on current grain stocks and transportation lines amid bumper crops filling bins across the United States.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
AFBF Economist Faith Parum discusses the financial challenges currently facing farmers and the Farm Bureau’s 2026 outlook for the farm economy.
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
Ethanol and corn groups are not hiding their disappointment over new reports that the bill to allow year-round E15 sales failed as Congress forges ahead on government funding, with another shutdown looming.
While row crops are expected to see softer impacts, analysts say severe weather of this magnitude will not be as kind to cattle producers.