Trump Targets Cuba’s Oil Supply With New Tariff Authority
Washington has opened a new front in its pressure campaign against Cuba, this time by targeting the flow of oil rather than Havana directly.
A newly signed executive order gives the U.S. government authority to penalize countries that continue supplying fuel to the island, expanding the use of tariffs as a geopolitical tool.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. is targeting Cuba’s oil lifelines by threatening tariffs on countries that supply fuel to the island.
- The move turns energy access into a trade and foreign-policy weapon rather than direct sanctions on Cuba.
- Europe warns the strategy could deepen fuel shortages and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
Rather than imposing immediate measures, the order creates a mechanism. U.S. trade officials are now instructed to map out which governments or entities are involved in keeping Cuba’s energy system running. Once that list is compiled, the White House will decide what form of economic retaliation follows.
Oil Supply Becomes the Pressure Point
Energy has emerged as the most vulnerable link in Cuba’s economy. Years of underinvestment and reliance on external partners have left the island exposed, and U.S. officials are now explicitly treating fuel access as leverage. The administration argues that allowing energy lifelines to continue would undermine broader national security objectives.
President Donald Trump framed the move as part of a wider effort to counter governments and networks viewed as hostile to the United States. In the order, Cuba is described as aligned with adversarial states and non-state actors, language that places the country firmly within Washington’s hard-line foreign policy framework.
Regional Dynamics Shift After Venezuela’s Exit
The timing of the order reflects changes in Latin America’s energy map. For years, Venezuela supplied Cuba with heavily discounted oil, effectively underwriting large parts of the island’s economy. That arrangement collapsed after U.S. action against the government of Nicolás Maduro and pressure on Caracas to halt shipments.
As those flows dried up, Cuba turned elsewhere. Mexico has since emerged as one of the few remaining sources of fuel, a development that now places it uncomfortably close to Washington’s new tariff framework. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that recent talks with Trump focused on trade, not Cuba, but the executive order raises the stakes for future discussions.
European Warnings Over Fallout
The policy shift has triggered concern among European diplomats, who fear the strategy could tip Cuba into a deeper crisis. Fuel shortages already disrupt electricity generation, transport, and food distribution across the island. Further tightening, they warn, risks humanitarian consequences rather than political concessions.
Those concerns are compounded by the fact that Cuba’s energy constraints are no longer theoretical. Rolling blackouts and supply interruptions have become part of daily life, amplifying the impact of any additional pressure.
No Sign of De-Escalation
Trump has shown little interest in softening his stance. Earlier this month, he publicly warned that oil and financial support for Cuba would be cut off entirely unless the country’s leadership engages with Washington. The executive order transforms that warning into a policy tool with global reach.
By extending potential penalties beyond Cuba itself, the administration is signaling that doing business with Havana’s energy sector may now carry direct economic costs. The move reshapes the risk calculus not just for Cuba, but for any country still willing to keep its lights on.
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