Trump tariff threats on China and Colombia could harm South Florida economy (includes video story)

If President Donald Trump makes good on threats to impose steep tariffs on trade allies like Colombia and China, South Floridians are likely to feel it in their wallets.

According to PortMiami, South Florida’s largest cargo facility, both countries are top 10 trade importers for Miami, bringing in goods such as clothing, technology, bananas, citrus, nuts and flowers.

“In the case of flowers, you will see the impact that the tariffs would have had if Trump would have imposed them, how they would have hurt the Colombian economy and the South Florida economy,” said Astrid Arrarás, a Florida International University professor who specializes in US-Latin America international relations.

Colombia is the second largest exporter of cut flowers worldwide and around 90% of all Valentine’s Day bouquets sold in the U.S. pass through Miami ports, contributing significantly to the billions of dollars in revenue generated by the area’s trade industry.

“You have all these businesses waiting for those flowers, to receive them, to distribute them,” Arrarás said. “So, that would be a chain reaction.”

PortMiami’s second largest importer, Asia, accounts for 31% of its trading activity and brings in goods like apparel and technology. 

Despite the major role trade plays in South Florida’s economy, the Trump administration insists on both its economic viability and its success as an immigration control tool. 

While its short term success as an immigration control tool was proved this past Saturday — when Colombian President Gustavo Petro resigned to receiving two U.S. planes with illegal migrants aboard when faced with a 25% tariff threat — experts believe the tariffs will not be as effective as Trump hopes.

“The sanctions, historically, have not been effective,” said Arrarás. “With Cuba and with Venezuela, [they have] not brought a change in the political regime.”

Isabel Rivera is a senior majoring in Digital Journalism with two minors in Art and English. Her interest in culture, the arts, and storytelling has led her to pursue careers in such topics in both journalism and publishing. Isabel’s work can be found in the Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Miami Times, Caplin News, Artburst Miami and PantherNOW. She currently works as a managing editor at Caplin News.