Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran

Key Points

• President Trump declared a national emergency, stating that Cuba’s government is a major threat to U.S. national security. The order claims Cuba is helping hostile countries like Russia and China, and hosting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to create instability in the Western Hemisphere.
• The U.S. will now track which foreign countries sell or give oil to Cuba. If a country is found providing oil to the island, the U.S. may place extra taxes, called tariffs, on any products that country tries to sell to the United States.
• This policy aims to cut off Cuba's energy supply by pressuring other nations to stop their trade with the Cuban government. It is designed to hold the Cuban regime accountable for human rights violations and its military ties with American adversaries.
• The Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of State will work together to identify oil-providing countries and recommend how high the new taxes should be. The President will make the final decision on which goods get taxed and by how much.
• The order takes effect on January 30, 2026. It also allows the U.S. to increase these penalties if a country tries to fight back or lower them if Cuba makes significant changes to its behavior and policies.

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