Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said Monday that any country buying oil or gas in Venezuela would be charged a 25% duty on all trades with the United States.

The "secondary tariffs" will go into effect on April 2nd, Trump stated in a Truth Social posting. Trump claimed that he was imposing this measure because Venezuela had sent "tens and thousands" of people with a "very violence nature" to the United States.

Trump issued an order earlier this month to wind down a license granted by the U.S. to Chevron in 2022 for it to operate and export oil from Venezuela, which is sanctioned. He did so after accusing President Nicolas Maduro that he had not made progress with electoral reforms or migrant return.

China, which has already been subject to U.S. Tariffs, is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil, the OPEC Member's main export.

In February,

China received 503,000 barrels of crude oil and fuel per day from Venezuela, representing 55% of the total exports.

Spain, Italy and Cuba are also consumers of Venezuelan crude oil. The U.S. will stop importing the oil in early April, unless Trump extends his wind-down.

The government of Maduro did not respond immediately to a comment request.

Trump invoked earlier this month the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in order to justify deporting alleged members Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, without final removal orders by immigration judges.

(source: Reuters)