The president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order declaring a “national emergency” and establishes a mechanism for impose additional tariffs to imports from countries that supply oil to Cuba, either directly or indirectly.
Trump’s executive order will come into force against suppliers to Cuba
The measure, which will come into force on January 30seeks to put pressure on the island’s energy suppliers and reinforce US foreign policy towards the Cuban government.
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The order empowers the Department of Commerce to identify countries that sell crude oil or derivatives to Cuba, while the State Department will recommend the level of the tax, which must be approved by the president himself.
The tariff will be ad valorem, that is, it will be applied as an additional percentage on the value of goods imported into United States territory.
In the document, the White House justifies the decision by considering that the Cuban government “represents a threat to national security” by maintaining ties with Russia, China, Iran and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahin addition to allowing the installation of foreign military and intelligence capabilities on the island.
Mexico appears as one of the countries most exposed to this measure. According to figures from the Financial Times, the country became Cuba’s main oil supplier in 2025, with average exports of 12,284 barrels per day, equivalent to 44% of Cuban crude oil imports that year.
Situation of Mexico
Between January and September, Pemex reported shipments of up to 17,200 barrels per day, in addition to derivatives, with a value close to 400 million dollars.
The Mexican government has indicated that these supplies responded to current contracts and humanitarian support in the face of the island’s energy crisis, although shipments were suspended at the beginning of 2026. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the operations were carried out within the legal framework.
Washington’s new trade policy also contemplates permanent reviews and the possibility of modifying or withdrawing tariffs if Cuba or the countries involved adjust their positions on security and international relations.
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