U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham announced that the United States is close to imposing a package of new tariffs on Colombia. According to the legislature, the measure would be part of the strategies the country has been implementing in its fight against drug trafficking.
Through his X account, Graham noted that he held a meeting with President Donald Trump about the countries that, according to him and the US president, facilitate or support drug trafficking to this North American nation.
In that vein, Trump reportedly decided to"hit Colombia" with new measures to help address this situation. This would be done through the application of new customs duties on Colombian products entering the United States.
"President Trump is tougher than any president in our history, and he informed me that he is going to hit Colombia, not only its drug traffickers, but also where it hurts the most: in the pocketbook. He will announce significant tariffs against Colombia today or tomorrow," he said in his message.
The Republican congressman also reiterated that when it comes to protecting the U.S., President Trump does not"play games" and emphasized that those nations that continue to engage in narcoterrorism against the United States "will pay a very high price."
Had a very good discussion with President Trump today about his commitment to go after those Countries who support drug trafficking against our great Nation.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 19, 2025
President Trump is tougher than any President in our History, and he informed me that he is going to be hitting…
In response to the senator's post, María Claudia Lacouture, president of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Colombia), recalled that these types of sanctions do not only affect the Colombian president, but also involve other actors.
"Senator Lindsey Graham, with all due respect: the alliance between the United States and Colombia was built by our people, beyond any government. The blow to the pocketbook does not affect a president; it affects workers, farmers and small businesses, and it impacts American companies and consumers," the union leader indicated.
He also called for working together for"shared security and prosperity."
Senator @LindseyGrahamSC, with respect: the U.S.–Colombia partnership was built by our peoples—beyond any government. Hitting “the wallet” doesn't strike a president; it lands on workers, farmers, and small businesses, and echoes into U.S. companies and consumers. Let’s work…
— Maria Claudia Lacouture (@mclacouture) October 19, 2025
Tensions rise
Graham's message comes amid the recent clash of statements between President Trump and his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro. The situation has once again raised alarm bells about the deteriorating relationship between Colombia and the United States.
The most recent incident occurred this Sunday, October 19, when the US president made a statement in which he linked President Petro to drug trafficking, announced the cessation of all subsidies to Colombia, and threatened military action in the country.
In his message, the US head of state stated that this illicit activity “has become Colombia’s biggest business” and maintained that Petro “does nothing to stop it,” despite “large-scale payments and subsidies from the United States.”
In this regard, the Colombian president rejected what his American counterpart said and asserted that he is unaware that during his political career he has been one of the greatest enemies of groups dedicated to this type of crime.
"I was the main enemy of drug trafficking in Colombia. It was in the 21st century that I discovered its relations with the political powers of Colombia." Along those lines, he added:"I recommend that Trump read Colombia carefully and determine where the drug traffickers are and where the Democrats are."
It's worth remembering that this is just one of the recent clashes that have occurred in the relationship with the United States. Added to this episode are others such as the revocation of President Petro's US visa, as well as the US decertification of Colombia in its fight against drugs.
In this context, various organizations have urged the Colombian government to take diplomatic action to resolve these types of situations, especially considering that the United States plays a key role as a trading partner for the country.
