Trump announces tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba

US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump has taken new steps to increase pressure on Cuba. He has signed an executive order paving the way for tariffs on products from countries that supply oil to the country located between North and South America. The White House says that this decision was taken to protect the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.

According to the TRT World news outlet, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and has begun the process of imposing tariffs on products from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba. The White House said that this order has created a legal framework for applying trade pressure on the countries concerned.

A White House briefing said that the aim of this step is to increase pressure on Cuba. The Trump administration is basically describing the country's activities and policies as "harmful". The administration claims that these activities of Cuba are contrary to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.

The executive order authorizes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to take all necessary steps to implement the tariffs, including issuing regulations and directives.

The order also states that the president may modify or relax the measures if Cuba or the countries concerned take “significant steps” to reduce the threat posed by the United States or change their position in line with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

The U.S. decision comes at a time when Washington is reviewing Cuba’s economic and political weaknesses. U.S. officials believe that Cuba’s position has become more fragile after Venezuela’s support has waned. The situation is believed to have changed further after the U.S. recently kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

According to U.S. officials, Cuba’s economy is close to collapse. And this situation makes the Cuban government more vulnerable than ever before.

Meanwhile, US officials have also been talking to Cuban exile groups to explore the possibility of political change in Cuba, with the aim of identifying individuals within the government who might be interested in negotiating political reform.