Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), widely known for her progressive views and vocal critiques of conservative policies, recently found herself at the center of controversy over an economic claim regarding tariffs and coffee prices. The congresswoman suggested that former President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff on Colombian goods would directly result in American consumers paying significantly higher prices for coffee. However, economic experts and fact-checkers quickly challenged her assertion, sparking a broader debate about the real impact of tariffs on international trade and domestic inflation.

AOC’s Statement and the Context of the Tariff Debate

The controversy began when Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro had a diplomatic disagreement over the deportation of illegal immigrants. Initially, Petro resisted accepting deportees directly from the U.S. back into Colombia. In response, Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on all Colombian imports, putting pressure on the South American nation to comply. Shortly after, Petro’s government relented, agreeing to accept deportees rather than risk damaging its economic relationship with the U.S.