Imposing Tariffs on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil
The order authorizes a 25% secondary tariff on all goods imported into the United States from any country that purchases Venezuelan oil, either directly or through third-party intermediaries, effective April 2, 2025.
It invokes the existing Venezuela national emergency and IEEPA authorities to squeeze the Maduro regime's oil revenues, and explicitly extends the tariff to Hong Kong and Macau if applied to China — potentially touching a broad swath of global trade relationships.
What this order does
What it orders
The order establishes a 25% tariff on all U.S. imports from any country that buys Venezuelan oil, with the Secretary of State holding discretion to decide which countries the tariff actually hits on or after April 2, 2025. The tariff is supplemental to any existing tariffs already in place under IEEPA, Section 232, or Section 301 authority. The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with other cabinet officials, is authorized to determine whether a given country has imported Venezuelan oil directly or through intermediaries, and to issue regulations needed to implement the order. If applied to China, the tariff automatically extends to Hong Kong and Macau as well.
Once imposed, the tariff expires one year after the last date on which the targeted country imported Venezuelan oil, unless the Secretary of Commerce ends it earlier. The order directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to submit reports to the President every 180 days assessing the tariffs' effectiveness and the Maduro regime's conduct.
Who it affects
Foreign countries that currently import Venezuelan crude oil or refined petroleum products, and U.S. businesses that import goods from those countries. China, Hong Kong, and Macau are specifically named as potential targets. Venezuelan state oil interests lose a layer of revenue protection.
Why it matters
U.S. importers sourcing goods from countries that purchase Venezuelan oil could face an additional 25% duty on top of existing tariffs, raising costs for businesses and potentially consumers. The threat of designation may pressure third-country buyers to stop purchasing Venezuelan oil, cutting Maduro regime revenues.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The Secretary of State decides, in consultation with Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, and USTR, which countries are designated and hit with the 25% tariff on or after April 2, 2025. Separately, the Secretary of Commerce determines the factual question of whether a country imported Venezuelan oil, directly or through intermediaries. The tariff is self-expiring — it ends one year after the country's last Venezuelan oil import — and is additive to any other tariffs already in effect. If China is designated, Hong Kong and Macau are automatically covered to prevent transshipment evasion. Periodic reports to the President every 180 days provide a built-in review mechanism.
Actions and deadlines
- Secretary of State determines which countries importing Venezuelan oil will face the 25% tariff
- Secretary of Commerce determines whether targeted countries imported Venezuelan oil and issues implementing regulations
- Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce submit first periodic report to the President assessing tariff effectiveness and Maduro regime conduct
- Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce submit subsequent periodic reports to the President no less than every 180 days