U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declared a national emergency over what he described as threats posed by the Cuban government, unveiling a sweeping executive order that could impose new tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
In the order, Trump said Cuba’s policies and actions constitute an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy. He accused Havana of aligning itself with hostile governments, transnational terrorist groups and malign actors, including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The order alleges that Cuba hosts sophisticated military and intelligence capabilities operated by U.S. adversaries, including what it describes as Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility. It also cites deepening intelligence and defense cooperation between Cuba and China, as well as Cuba’s alleged support for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
Trump further accused the Cuban government of supporting terrorism, destabilizing the region through migration and violence, and committing widespread human rights abuses. The order highlights the persecution of political opponents, restrictions on free speech and press, harassment of worshippers and civil society, and retaliation against families of political prisoners.
As part of the response, the executive order authorizes the creation of a tariff system allowing the United States to impose additional duties on imports from any country found to directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba. The determination would be made by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other senior officials, with final decisions on tariffs resting with the president.
The order grants broad authority to U.S. departments to implement, modify or expand the measures and allows Trump to adjust the policy if foreign governments retaliate or if Cuba or other affected countries take steps to align with U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
Trump said the United States has “zero tolerance” for the actions of Cuba’s communist government and pledged to hold the regime accountable while continuing to support the Cuban people’s aspirations for a free and democratic society.
The national emergency declaration takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on January 30, 2026, and supersedes any previous presidential actions that conflict with the new order.
