U.S. and Colombia Resolve Trade Standoff Threatening Valentine's Day Flower Imports

Colombia agrees to accept deportee flights after Trump threatened tariffs and visa restrictions, averting potential disruption to flower trade.

President Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Colombian imports over the country's refusal to accept flights carrying deported migrants.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially rejected U.S. deportee flights, citing concerns over the dignity of deportation practices.
The White House announced that Colombia has reversed its position, agreeing to accept deportee flights, resolving the diplomatic impasse.
Tariffs on Colombian goods, including flowers, are now on hold, but visa restrictions and customs inspections for Colombian officials remain in effect until deportee flights resume.
Colombia is the largest foreign supplier of cut flowers to the U.S., with $1.14 billion in flower imports recorded through November 2024.