Consultant Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez entered the fray in US President Donald Trump‘s escalating tariff standoff with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, however her remarks on the problem ignited combined reactions on social media.
The diplomatic conflict started when Petro refused to permit two US deportation flights to land in Colombia, prompting Trump to retaliate with a slew of measures. These included a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, which might escalate to 50%, in addition to a journey ban and visa restrictions for Colombian officers. Trump accused Petro of compromising US nationwide safety and public security.
In an X publish on Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez criticised Trump’s transfer, arguing that tariffs finally damage American customers.
“To ‘punish’ Colombia, Trump is about to make each American pay much more for espresso,” she wrote. “Bear in mind: WE pay the tariffs, not Colombia.”
She added, “Trump is all about making inflation WORSE for working class People, not higher. He is lining the pockets of himself and the billionaire class.”
Petro appeared to endorse her stance, reposting her message on his X account.
The economics of tariffs
Whereas Ocasio-Cortez’s declare that tariffs are paid by importers is correct—US firms pay the levies to Customs and Border Safety—it doesn’t all the time assure inflated shopper costs. In some circumstances, international suppliers decrease their costs to stay aggressive within the US market.
As an illustration, Colombia, the world’s third-largest espresso producer, might lose market share to bigger exporters like Brazil and Vietnam if their costs stay secure.
On-line backlash
Ocasio-Cortez’s publish, which amassed over 47,000 likes, confronted sharp criticism from Trump supporters and tariff advocates.
“Who needs to inform her that there are different nations that export espresso, not simply Colombia,” quipped California Assemblyman Invoice Essayli.
Conservative commentator John Cardillo echoed this, suggesting that the US ought to merely shift its espresso imports to extra cooperative nations.
“Loads of different nations develop espresso beans,” Cardillo posted. “We will purchase the espresso from them.”
Activist Adam Lowisz challenged Ocasio-Cortez’s understanding of commerce, asserting that companies may cut back investments in Colombia if the nation continues its defiance.
Petro’s concession
The controversy reached a swift conclusion when Petro, underneath stress from Trump’s retaliatory measures, agreed to just accept the deportation flights. Colombian international minister Luis Gilberto Murillo introduced late Sunday that the “deadlock” had been resolved, with Petro arranging for the return of deported residents through the presidential aircraft.
Trump supporters seized on Petro’s backtrack to mock Ocasio-Cortez’s stance. “World document. 35 minutes and the tweet already aged like sizzling milk,” conservative account @Catturd wrote.
