Trump Weaponizes Tariffs to Choke Cuba’s Oil Supply 📈

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency, threatening new tariffs on any nation supplying oil to Cuba. The move aims to dismantle the island's energy lifeline following the recent ouster of the Venezuelan leadership. • Global Trade Impact: The order establishes a mechanism to impose additional ad valorem duties on imports from countries that "directly or indirectly" provide petroleum to Cuba. This functions as a secondary-sanction tool via the U.S. tariff system. • Key Nations at Risk: While no specific countries were named, the policy primarily pressures Mexico (previously supplying 44% of Cuba's oil), Russia (10%), and Algeria. Venezuela, formerly the top supplier (33%), has already seen flows halted by U.S. military actions. • Economic Context: Trump is leveraging his second-term tariff strategy as a foreign policy tool, asserting that Cuba is near collapse. The apparel & textiles and rubber sectors in trading partner nations—including Sri Lanka—remain on high alert as the U.S. continues to implement "reciprocal tariffs" (currently averaging 20-30% for many nations) to reduce trade deficits. • Sri Lankan Context: While not a direct oil supplier to Cuba, Sri Lanka monitors these developments closely due to potential "collateral damage" in global shipping routes and the broader impact of U.S. protectionism on its own apparel exports to its largest market.