The first week of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States has been very eventful. The president, who promised to reduce grocery prices, almost initiated a trade war with Colombia. Such a move would have led to an increase in the prices of coffee, flowers, and raw materials for Americans. Many officials cannot fulfill their promises when elected. However, it is not common for them to create a potential crisis just a few days after assuming office.
It was in this situation that Colombia refused to accept U.S. military planes carrying deported immigrants. In response, President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports, stating it would go up to 50% within a week. The Colombian President Gustavo Petro threatened to do the same thing, imposing a 50% tariff on U.S. goods. Colombia provides more than one-third of the U.S.’s nursery stock and about 20% of its coffee, so this dispute is particularly worrisome for American consumers. Just before Valentine’s Day, the threat of higher prices for flowers and coffee spooked many.
Social media lit up with responses to the news. One user on X vented about the issue with the statement, “Coffee prices are about to increase because Trump was offended by the country he spelled wrong.” “Yeah, and punish Colombia at the same cost of Americans have to pay the price for drinking coffee,” commented another. It was suggested coffee drinkers should prep for the price increase by an individual who reminded everyone, “Better stock up now.” Humor ensued as one wrote, “50% tariff on coffee?? Jesus Christ, cocaine about to be cheaper. Others attacked the policy on Americans, with one saying, “When Trump imposes tariffs on Colombian coffee, Colombian flowers, Colombian bananas, pineapples, avocados, and oil, it’s us Americans who will pay those added costs. We’re not even a week into Trump’s term, and he’s already imposed a brand-new tax on all of us.”
During the backlash, a White House statement confirmed that Colombia had agreed to accept deported migrants arriving on U.S. military aircraft “without limitation or delay.” Consequently, the U.S. declared that it would not impose tariffs on Colombian imports. That settlement may have stabilized coffee and flower prices going into Valentine’s Day, keeping at bay an economic impact that had been widely feared.