Trump authorizes tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba

US President Donald Trump has enacted a new economic pressure campaign against Cuba, signing an executive order that empowers his administration to impose tariffs on any nation that supplies oil to the island. Declaring a national emergency, the order establishes a legal framework for the United States to target third-party countries assisting Cuba's energy sector, a move the White House directly links to protecting US national security and foreign policy interests from what it labels Cuba's "malign actions and policies."

Mechanics and authority of the new tariff order

The executive order delegates significant authority to key cabinet officials, specifically Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, to implement the new policy. They are instructed to take "all necessary actions," including issuing specific rules and guidance, to set up the tariff system. The order is also designed to be flexible, stating that "The President may modify the Order if Cuba or affected countries take significant steps to address the threat or align with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives." This creates a potential off-ramp for nations that halt energy shipments to Havana.

Strategic context: isolating Cuba after Venezuela

This aggressive policy shift follows a major geopolitical event in the region: the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd. Venezuela had been Cuba's primary economic patron and energy supplier for years. With that support severed, President Trump has publicly expressed confidence that the Cuban government is on the brink of collapse. "Cuba will be failing pretty soon. Cuba is really a nation that's very close to failing," Trump stated, framing the new tariffs as a measure to accelerate this outcome by cutting off alternative oil lifelines.

Broader implications and regional strategy

The executive order represents a significant escalation in the long-standing US effort to economically isolate the Cuban government. By threatening tariffs on other nations, the Trump administration is extending the reach of the US embargo, effectively seeking to internationalize the economic pressure on Havana. This tactic risks creating new diplomatic friction with countries that maintain normal trade relations with Cuba, as they may now face a choice between that trade and access to the US market. The move solidifies a hardline regional approach focused on regime change in both Venezuela and Cuba.