U.S. Plans Secondary Tariffs on Venezuelan Oil Imports

The Trump administration is poised to impose a 25% tariff on goods from countries that import Venezuelan oil, effective April 2, 2025, as part of efforts to counter Venezuela's destabilizing actions. The tariff applies to both direct and indirect imports, with the Secretary of State holding discretion over its implementation. This move aligns with broader tariff policies, including a recent 10% across-the-board tariff announced on April 2, targeting countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S. Notably, countries like China, which has heavily invested in Venezuelan crude, could be notably affected. The tariffs are part of a strategy to address threats posed by the Maduro regime and associated criminal organizations, underlining the U.S. commitment to national security. The tariffs will expire one year after a country last imports Venezuelan oil, or sooner at the Secretary of Commerce's discretion.