Trump declares national emergency over alleged Cuba security threat

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency, citing what he described as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy posed by Cuba, according to an executive order released by the White House.

The order states that the Cuban government cooperates with several countries hostile to the United States, including Russia, China and Iran, as well as with transnational terrorist groups and other malicious actors.

Under the emergency declaration, Trump authorized the introduction of a tariff system that would allow additional ad valorem duties to be imposed on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has been tasked with identifying countries that may be providing oil to the island, after which senior administration officials will determine the level of additional tariffs.

On January 28, Trump said Cuba was nearing economic collapse following the halt of oil supplies from Venezuela. According to Politico, U.S. officials are discussing measures that could include a complete blockade of oil shipments to the island. Analysts at Kpler estimate that, at current consumption levels, Cuba’s oil reserves could last between 15 and 20 days.