President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration will be placing a 25% tariff on any country that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela. The president’s announcement comes as his administration continues to target illegal immigrant gang members in the United States, such as the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.
In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump warned that his administration would be placing “what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the County of Venezuela” for multiple reasons. The 47th president explained that one of the reasons for the secondary tariff is “the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature.”
“Among the gangs they sent to the United States, is Tren de Aragua, which has been given the designation of ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization,’” Trump wrote. “We are in the process of returning them to Venezuela — It is a big task!”
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that it had started deporting hundreds of illegal immigrant gang member “monsters” to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.
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In addition to the issue of illegal immigration, Trump said Venezuela has been “very hostile” toward the United States and the “Freedoms which we espouse.” As a result, Trump said any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela will be required to pay a 25% tariff to the United States on “any Trade they do with our Country.”
“All documentation will be signed and registered, and the Tariff will take place on April 2nd, 2025, LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA,” Trump added.
According to The Daily Wire, April 2, which Trump has called “Liberation Day in America,” is expected to feature the announcement of major reciprocal tariffs with U.S. trade partners around the world.
Trump concluded his statement on Monday, saying, “Please let this notification serve to represent that the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and all other Law Enforcement Agencies within our Country have been so notified. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
