Under the new measures, the United States will be able to impose additional tariffs on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba.
Trump explained his decision by stating that the Cuban government is taking "extraordinary measures" that threaten U.S. interests. The document points to the cooperation of Cuban authorities with countries hostile to the U.S., such as Russia, China, Iran, as well as groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
In his order, he noted: "To address the national emergency <…> I find it necessary and appropriate to establish a tariff system as described below. Under this system, an additional ad valorem duty may be imposed on the import of goods that are products of a foreign state that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise supplies oil to Cuba."
An ad valorem duty is a tax levied on the import or export of goods and is calculated as a percentage of their value, making it one of the most common forms of tax payments.
Recently, the Trump administration predicted the imminent collapse of the Cuban regime, citing the severe economic situation in the country, and expressed a desire to see a change of power on the island.
The rhetoric from the White House has become more aggressive following the military operation in Venezuela, during which American forces evacuated President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Trump stated that Washington will monitor the situation in Venezuela until changes occur in the government.
According to Politico, measures are being discussed in Washington, including a complete blockade of oil supplies to Cuba. Experts from the analytical company Kpler predict that at the current level of consumption, the island has enough oil reserves for 15-20 days.
