Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Criticizes President Trump for Threatening to Raise Coffee Prices for Americans Amid Tensions with Colombia

The brewing conflict between the U.S. and Colombia has sparked a heated debate about the impact of tariffs, particularly on coffee prices.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently slammed former President Donald Trump for his response to Colombia’s refusal to accept deportation flights, warning that his proposed tariffs would raise the cost of coffee for everyday Americans.

A Rapid Escalation

Tensions began to rise on Sunday when Colombia turned away two deportation flights carrying migrants from the U.S.

In retaliation, President Trump took to social media, threatening to impose emergency tariffs on all products coming from Colombia.

Initially, the tariffs would be set at 25%, and they could escalate to 50% within a week.

The Coffee Price Consequences

Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive stance, was quick to criticize the president’s threats.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she pointed out that targeting one of the U.S.’s largest coffee suppliers would hit American consumers directly.

“To ‘punish’ Colombia, Trump is about to make every American pay even more for coffee.

Remember: WE pay the tariffs, not Colombia,” she wrote.

Her message was clear—these tariffs could hurt the working class by driving up costs, especially for essential items like coffee.

Strained Relations with Colombia

Colombia has long been one of the U.S.’s closest allies in South America, and the diplomatic standoff raised questions about the future of their relationship.

The disagreement also highlighted Trump’s focus on his priority of deporting migrants who are in the U.S. illegally.

While some Republican lawmakers praised the president’s swift action as a strong message to other nations, others, including regional experts, expressed concern over the long-term implications for U.S. influence in Colombia.

The Economic Fallout

Coffee, along with cut flowers, is one of the most significant exports from Colombia to the U.S.

On the flip side, the U.S. exports large quantities of corn and soybeans to Colombia.

The economic ties between the two countries are substantial, making the imposition of tariffs a risky move for both sides.

Retaliation from Colombia

In response to Trump’s threats, Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that Colombia would retaliate with 25% tariffs on U.S. goods.

Petro’s government had previously accepted U.S. deportation flights, but he had voiced concerns over the dignity of migrants during the process.

Colombia’s refusal to accept the flights this time led to Trump’s explosive reaction, accusing Colombia of endangering U.S. national security.

Resolution and Future Talks

Despite the heated exchanges, by late Sunday, a resolution seemed to be in sight.

The White House announced that Colombia had agreed to Trump’s terms, and the planned tariffs and sanctions were put on hold for the moment.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the measures would be “held in reserve.”

Colombia, for its part, agreed to continue accepting deported migrants, provided they were treated with dignity.

The Colombian government also announced that high-ranking officials would be traveling to Washington this week to continue negotiations, signaling that the dialogue between the two countries would persist.

Looking Ahead

With the standoff over, the question remains: What will be the long-term effects on U.S.-Colombia relations, especially in terms of trade and immigration policies?

And how will the ongoing tension impact everyday Americans, particularly when it comes to the price of coffee?

Time will tell, but it’s clear that both countries are navigating a delicate balance of diplomacy and economic interests.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn