President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency targeting Cuba, accusing the island’s communist government of working with hostile foreign powers and supporting terrorist groups. The move dramatically raises U.S. pressure on Havana and opens the door for tariffs on any country that sends oil to Cuba.
In an executive order released Thursday, Trump said Cuba’s actions pose “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy. To counter that threat, the order creates a new mechanism that would allow the U.S. to impose additional duties on imports from countries that “directly or indirectly” supply oil to Cuba.
According to the White House, this is intended to cut off Havana’s access to energy resources and push the regime toward political change.
The order accuses Cuba of aligning with Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, and claims the island hosts Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility. It also warns that Cuba is deepening military and intelligence cooperation with Beijing and “welcomes” groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Trump also pointed to the Cuban government’s human rights record, saying the U.S. has “zero tolerance” for Havana’s repression of political opponents, restrictions on free speech and retaliation against families of activists.
Under the order, the Commerce Department will determine whether a foreign country is supplying oil to Cuba. If it is, agencies including State, Treasury, Homeland Security and the U.S. Trade Representative will recommend tariff options to the president.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will oversee the emergency measures and report to Congress, while Commerce continues tracking global oil flows to Cuba.
The administration framed the move as part of Trump’s broader strategy to confront regimes it views as hostile to U.S. interests. It also builds on his earlier rollback of Obama-era engagement with Cuba.
Shortly after signing the order, Trump told ABC News he was not trying to collapse Cuba’s economy but insisted the regime is already teetering. “Cuba is a failing nation,” he said. “I think Cuba will not be able to survive.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the decision, saying allies should understand the administration’s expectations. “The president wants to make sure his foreign policy is being defended,” he said.
The timing is notable. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether the administration can use emergency powers to impose tariffs — a decision that could shape how far Trump can go.
The new pressure campaign also follows a public clarification from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that Mexico is still sending oil to Cuba. Trump said he spoke with Sheinbaum on Thursday about border issues, drug trafficking and trade.
For weeks, Trump has warned Cuba over its ties to Venezuela and the fallout from the U.S. capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. He has repeatedly argued that Havana is losing the financial support it once received from Caracas.
“Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall,” Trump said earlier this month. “They got all of their income from Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it.”
Whether the new tariff threat will change the behavior of countries that supply oil to Cuba — or Havana itself — remains an open question.
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