Donald Trump is increasing pressure by threatening to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba amid escalating political and economic tensions.
This measure is outlined in Trump’s new executive order, although specific details about tariff rates or the targeted countries have not yet been disclosed.
Trump has consistently taken a hardline stance against Cuba, and on Tuesday he stated that Cuba is about to collapse after Venezuela, a key ally, stopped sending oil and financial support following the U.S. forces’ detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on 3 January.
Previously, Venezuela was believed to supply Cuba with about 35,000 barrels of oil per day, which is a crucial energy source for the island.
In the executive order signed on Thursday, Trump declared that the policies, practices, and actions of the Cuban government constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States, accusing Havana’s government of harboring dangerous enemies of the U.S. The order paves the way for the U.S. to consider imposing tariffs on countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly.
Earlier, Trump had called for Cuba to reach an agreement before it was too late but never specified the terms or the consequences Cuba might face if it did not comply.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded by stating that the United States has no authority to compel Cuba to make agreements according to U.S. demands.
Meanwhile, Trump’s policy of seizing Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions has worsened Cuba’s energy crisis. The country is experiencing intermittent power outages, forcing many people to live amid uncertainty about electricity availability.
Recently, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez asserted that Cuba has the full right to import fuel from any willing exporter without being interfered with or coerced by unilateral U.S. measures.
/source:AP
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