President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to impose tariffs on any goods coming from countries that sell oil to Cuba. He also declared a national emergency, saying, “policies, practices and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat.”
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Trump’s executive order
The order cites Havana’s “alliances” with Russia, China and Iran, as well as militant Hamas and Hezbollah.
While it does not specify the extent of the retaliatory tariffs, it states they would affect products sold in the U.S. from “any other country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba.”
The secretaries of Commerce, State, Treasury and Homeland Security, and the U.S. trade representative will work together to determine whether additional tariffs are needed if a country sells oil to Cuba. However, Trump will ultimately make the final decision.
Speaking to reporters at an event honoring First Lady Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center, the Trump suggested the move could spell disaster for the island nation.
“Cuba is a failing nation, and you have to feel badly for Cuba; they’ve treated people very badly,” President Trump said. “We have a lot of Cuban Americans who really were treated very badly, and they’d probably like to go back. And no, I’m not trying to … but it looks like it’s something that’s just not going to be able to survive. I think Cuba will not be able survive.”
Trump has also issued many warnings over the past few weeks to the Cuban government in the aftermath of the U.S. capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
A targeted strike
The move appears mostly intended to put pressure on Mexico after President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is still selling oil to Cuba. Mexico has become Cuba’s top oil supplier in recent years.
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In 2025, Mexico was estimated to have exported an average of 12,284 barrels of oil daily to Cuba.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum said Mexico had temporarily stopped oil shipments to Cuba, but it was because of general fluctuations. She said it was a “sovereign decision” not a response to pressure from the U.S.
When asked if Mexico resume oil shipments to Cuba, Sheinbaum just said, “In any case, it will be reported.” She added that Mexico will “continue to show solidarity” with Cuba.
Trump and Sheinbaum spoke by phone Thursday, which Trump characterized as a “very productive telephone conversation” that was focused on “the border, stopping drug trafficking and trade.”
Not just Cuba
Trump also escalated trade tensions with Canada on Thursday, threatening to decertify Canadian-made aircraft and impose a 50% tariff. Trump accused Canada of illegally blocking certification of U.S.-built Gulfstream jets.
He also said the U.S. would decertify all Canadian aircraft, including planes from its largest aircraft maker, Quebec-based Bombardier.
In a statement to CBS News, Bombardier said it has “taken note” of the threat.
“Thousands of private and civilian jets built in Canada fly in the U.S. every day,” Bombardier said. “We hope this is quickly resolved to avoid a significant impact to air traffic and the flying public.”
