Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez entered the fray in US President Donald Trump‘s escalating tariff standoff with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, but her remarks on the issue ignited mixed reactions on social media.
The diplomatic clash began when Petro refused to allow 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 could escalate to 50%, as well as a travel ban and visa restrictions for Colombian officials. Trump accused Petro of compromising US national security and public safety.
In an X post on Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez criticised Trump’s move, arguing that tariffs ultimately hurt American consumers.
“To ‘punish’ Colombia, Trump is about to make every American pay even more for coffee,” she wrote. “Remember: WE pay the tariffs, not Colombia.”
She added, “Trump is all about making inflation WORSE for working class Americans, not better. He’s 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
While Ocasio-Cortez’s claim that tariffs are paid by importers is accurate—US companies pay the levies to Customs and Border Protection—it does not always guarantee inflated consumer prices. In some cases, global suppliers lower their prices to remain competitive in the US market.
For instance, Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer, could lose market share to larger exporters like Brazil and Vietnam if their prices remain stable.
Online backlash
Ocasio-Cortez’s post, which amassed over 47,000 likes, faced sharp criticism from Trump supporters and tariff advocates.
“Who wants to tell her that there are other countries that export coffee, not just Colombia,” quipped California Assemblyman Bill Essayli.
Conservative commentator John Cardillo echoed this, suggesting that the US should simply shift its coffee imports to more cooperative nations.
“Plenty of other nations grow coffee beans,” Cardillo posted. “We can buy the coffee from them.”
Activist Adam Lowisz challenged Ocasio-Cortez’s understanding of trade, asserting that businesses might reduce investments in Colombia if the country continues its defiance.
Petro’s concession
The controversy reached a swift conclusion when Petro, under pressure from Trump’s retaliatory measures, agreed to accept the deportation flights. Colombian foreign minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced late Sunday that the “impasse” had been resolved, with Petro arranging for the return of deported citizens via the presidential plane.
Trump supporters seized on Petro’s backtrack to mock Ocasio-Cortez’s stance. “World record. 35 minutes and the tweet already aged like hot milk,” conservative account @Catturd wrote.