How Trump bullied Colombia into accepting immigrant deportation flights

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he will, at least for now, hold off on his egregious threat to impose tariffs on Colombia after the nation agreed to accept deported migrants, who were being returned to the country by U.S. military planes.

Notably, this move represented a turn from Trump’s plan just hours prior. Earlier on Sunday, he vowed to impose steep tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after it turned away two deportation flights. 

At one point, it looked like we were headed toward a trade war. That was narrowly averted, though, after Colombian President Gustavo Petro agreed to accept the deportees. Trump, of course, claimed victory and said that the South American nation had caved to his authoritarian demands. 

The clash reflects how the Trump administration is ready to make examples of foreign countries that attempt to impede on his plans, specifically those that will likely target immigrants seeking asylum or shelter in the United States. 

So how did we get here—and is a trade war looming?