U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on any country purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela, citing concerns over migration and criminal activity.
Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform on Monday, accused Venezuela of deliberately sending violent criminals into the United States. He claimed that “tens of thousands of high-level criminals, many of whom are murderers,” had been secretly sent to the U.S.
As part of his response, Trump declared that any nation conducting energy trade with Venezuela would be required to pay a 25% tariff to the U.S. on any transactions involving American interests.
“Therefore, any country that purchases oil and/or gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a tariff of 25% to the United States on any trade they do with our country,” Trump stated.
He added that all necessary documentation for the tariff would be finalized and implemented by April 2.
Trump’s latest economic move comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas, as the U.S. has previously imposed sanctions and restrictions on Venezuela’s oil industry.
