Subhechcha Ganguly 
Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced steep 25% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas, a move that could significantly affect major economies like China and India while adding to global trade tensions.
According to an order signed on Monday, the tariffs—targeting both direct and indirect buyers of Venezuelan oil—could take effect as early as April 2. The U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with other agencies, has been given the authority to determine enforcement, potentially impacting top importers such as China and India, AFP reported.
Trump’s Expanding Trade Measures
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed tariffs on both allies and rivals, using trade policies to push his economic and diplomatic agenda. Speaking to reporters, he confirmed that the new tariffs would be imposed in addition to existing trade duties.
Experts cited by AFP noted that Venezuela exports roughly 500,000 barrels of oil per day to China and 240,000 barrels to the United States, alongside shipments to India and Spain. The new tariffs could disrupt these supply chains and escalate trade tensions.
“Liberation Day” and Trump’s Justification
Trump has declared April 2 as “Liberation Day” for the U.S. economy, vowing to introduce reciprocal tariffs on trade partners accused of unfair practices. While he had previously hinted at sector-specific tariffs around this time, Monday’s announcement suggests a more targeted approach.
Announcing the Venezuela-related measure on Truth Social, Trump called it a “secondary tariff” and cited “numerous reasons” for its imposition. He accused the Venezuelan government of “purposefully and deceitfully” sending criminals to the U.S. and criticized Caracas for suspending deportation flights last month.
Diplomatic Fallout
The decision comes amid deteriorating U.S.-Venezuela relations. Following Trump’s claims that Venezuela failed to uphold a deportation agreement, Caracas retaliated by halting repatriation flights for deported migrants. The tariff order specifies that the 25% levy will expire one year after a country’s last Venezuelan oil import, or earlier if Washington lifts the restrictions.
As tensions mount, the new tariffs could reshape global energy trade and further strain U.S. relations with key oil-importing nations like China and India.
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