U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new economic policy Monday, declaring that any country importing oil or gas from Venezuela will face a 25% tariff on all exports to the United States starting April 2.
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump accused Venezuela of being “very hostile” toward the U.S. and warned that nations doing business with the South American country would be penalized across the board.
“Countries buying Venezuelan oil will now be subject to a 25% tariff on all goods they send to the U.S.,” Trump wrote. “This starts April 2. No exceptions.”
The former president also said Venezuela will be hit with a separate “secondary” tariff, citing its ties to the violent gang Tren de Aragua, which U.S. officials have linked to crime rings operating across Latin America and into the U.S.
Trump claimed that members of the gang had crossed into the country illegally and were now being deported under his administration’s orders.
He added that the post itself serves as formal notice to the Department of Homeland Security and other enforcement agencies to begin preparing for implementation.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of aggressive trade and immigration stances as Trump continues to shape his foreign policy vision amid the 2025 political landscape.