President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order titled “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba,” which formally declared a national emergency with respect to Cuba.
The order invokes authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act (NEA), describing the situation as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the situation with respect to Cuba constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States and hereby declare a national emergency with respect to that threat,” the order reads.
To address this declared emergency, the order establishes a new tariff system rather than imposing direct sanctions on Cuba in this specific measure. It authorizes additional ad valorem duties on imports into the United States from any foreign country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides oil to Cuba.
“Under this system, an additional *ad valorem* duty may be imposed on imports of goods that are products of a foreign country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba,” the order continues
“(a) Beginning on the effective date of this order, an additional *ad valorem* rate of duty may be imposed on goods imported into the United States that are products of any other country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba, in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section.”
No fixed tariff rates — such as a specific percentage — are outlined in the order itself, and no countries are immediately named for application.
Instead, the policy creates a flexible framework. The Secretaries of Commerce and State, along with other relevant officials, are directed to determine which countries qualify by monitoring oil provision to Cuba, issuing rules, guidance, and implementing the tariffs accordingly. The president retains authority to modify, adjust, or terminate the order if Cuba or the supplying nations take meaningful steps to mitigate the perceived threat or align with U.S. national security and foreign policy goals.
A White House fact sheet accompanying the order frames the action under the heading emphasizes the need to protect U.S. interests from the Cuban regime’s “malign actions and policies,” including its alignments with hostile actors, support for terrorism, and contributions to regional instability. It highlights the tariff mechanism as a tool to disrupt Cuba’s access to oil, a vital resource for the island’s energy-dependent economy.
This policy represents a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on Cuba during Trump’s second term. The longstanding U.S. embargo on Cuba, in place since the early 1960s, already restricts direct trade and financial dealings.
However, this measure introduces a secondary tariff approach — penalizing third countries for their economic engagement with Cuba — similar in concept to secondary sanctions used against regimes like Iran or Venezuela, but applied here through tariff authority under emergency powers. By targeting oil suppliers, the order aims to choke off a key lifeline for Havana, especially as supplies from Venezuela (historically the primary source) have reportedly dwindled or ceased amid U.S. actions against that government.
The order follows Trump’s recent public statements, including one earlier this month where he predicted that “Cuba will be failing pretty soon” due to the decline in Venezuelan support. It builds on prior measures in his administration, such as partial travel restrictions on Cuban nationals implemented in June 2025 and a National Security Presidential Memorandum reinforcing tougher policy toward the island.
