Tariffs loom as Nayib Bukele heads to Trump meeting with security high on agenda

The meeting focuses heavily on security, overshadowing discussions on trade and investment.

PUBLISHED APR 13, 2025

Beyond political gains, the deal offers economic incentives for El Salvador, which received $6 million for accepting deportees.

Washington D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday, in the hopes of cementing their alliance in curbing illegal immigration.

Bukele has agreed to accept US deportees, detaining over 250 — mostly Venezuelans — in a high-security prison. While Trump’s administration claims they are Tren de Aragua gang members, rights groups denounce "forced disappearances and arbitrary detention", with some families denying the accusations.

The meeting focuses heavily on security, overshadowing potential discussions on trade and investment. Trump praised the partnership on Truth Social, stating both nations are eradicating "terrorist organizations" and ensuring deported migrants "will never threaten our Citizens again". White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt called El Salvador’s use of its "supermax prison" a model for handling gang members.

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Beyond political gains, the deal offers economic incentives for El Salvador, which received $6 million for accepting deportees. The US is the main destination for Salvadoran exports. Of the nearly $6.5 billion in goods exported from El Salvador in 2024, $2.1 billion went to the United States, including clothing, sugar and coffee, according to the central bank. Economists warn tariffs could hurt growth, urging Bukele to seek clarity during his visit.

Remittances from Salvadorans in the US, totaling $8.5 billion (23% of GDP) in 2024, remain vital.