A clash over receiving flights transporting deportees out of the U.S. nearly escalated into a trade war with Colombia, with the South American country ultimately backing down after facing threats of tariffs and other sanctions from President Donald Trump.

Colombia had previously turned away two U.S. military flights carrying people deported by U.S. authorities, with President Gustavo Petro claiming that the migrants had been unfairly treated as criminals. On January 26, President Trump retaliated with a 25% tariff against all Colombian imports, as well as a travel ban for all Colombian government officials, enhanced searches for all Colombian nationals crossing the U.S. border, and additional banking and financial sanctions. Petro responded by announcing 25% tariffs against U.S. imports, before the two sides both agreed to roll back their levies hours later. As part of that deal, Petro agreed to accept all Colombian immigrants deported out of the U.S. "without limitation or delay." 

"Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again," the White House said in a written statement, adding that Trump's office expects all other countries to cooperate with the U.S. on deportation flights.

According to BBC News, Colombia has accepted deportation flights from the U.S. in the past. In 2024, 124 planes carrying deported migrants from the U.S. landed in the country.

The dispute marked the first major test of Trump's use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic with nations he views as uncooperative, albeit with a country that has far less trade leverage than others currently facing similar threats, such as China, Mexico and Canada. Colombia's primary exports to the U.S. include oil, coffee and cut flowers, although economic leaders in the South American country warned that a trade war with the U.S. would have an outsized impact on Colombia's economy.