President Donald Trump said Monday that he will impose tariffs of 25 per cent on any nation that purchases oil from Venezuela. After sending 200 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador for which the US is paying Salvador, Donald Trump said he would be imposing secondary tariff on Venezuela for many reasons including “purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals”.
“President Donald J. Trump announced today that the United States of America will be putting what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela, for numerous reasons, including 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.” We are in the process of returning them to Venezuela — It is a big task! In addition, Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% 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. 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!” Trump added.

Trump’s secondary tariff on Venezuela: Which countries to be hit hard?

China and India are the two biggest oil buyers of Venezuela oil and hence this secondary tariff would impact them the most. India imported around 22 million barrels of Venezuelan oil in 2024, 1.5 per cent of India’s total purchases during the period.

April 2: Donald Trump’s tariff day

The new secondary tariff will come into effect on April 2, along with all other tariffs that Trump announced in his ongoing tariff measures. After coming to office, Trump hurled tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada which was paused briefly until April 2.
Trump’s reciprocal tariffs would also start from this date in which the US would reciprocate to each country with the same tariff they have for the US. European Union, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Canada, India and China will be hit in this segment.