Venezuela has strongly condemned the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas, denouncing the move as “arbitrary, illegal and desperate.” The Venezuelan government asserts that these secondary tariffs violate international trade laws and intends to pursue legal action through multilateral organizations.
President Trump’s executive order, effective April 2, aims to intensify pressure on nations such as China and India, which are significant importers of Venezuelan crude. In 2023, China accounted for 68% of Venezuela’s oil exports. Despite existing U.S. sanctions, the United States imported 8.6 million barrels of Venezuelan oil in January 2025.
The U.S. Treasury Department has extended Chevron Corp.’s license to operate in Venezuela until May 27, allowing the company to continue its operations temporarily. This extension is seen as a measure to prevent a collapse in Venezuelan crude exports to the U.S.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has criticized the tariffs as arbitrary and a violation of international trade norms, accusing the U.S. of attempting to undermine Venezuela’s economic development. He emphasized that Venezuela will not yield to external pressures and will work diligently to counteract these actions.
The imposition of these tariffs is expected to further strain U.S-Venezuela relations and may have significant implications for global oil markets, particularly affecting countries that rely on Venezuelan energy exports.
Also read: Trump to impose 25% tariff on countries purchasing Venezuela oil and gas
