President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries and groups engaging in business and providing oil to Cuba on Thursday, marking an escalation in U.S. policy toward the communist country.
The countries and groups targeted for potential tariffs by the White House include Russia, China and Iran, along with the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. The U.S. trades with Russia, China, Iran and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based.
In an executive order, Trump established “a national emergency” that creates a “tariff system” on countries and groups doing business with Cuba. Trump used the same vehicle to impose a slew of tariffs on numerous countries earlier this year. The Supreme Court is currently deciding whether the president has the authority to use a mechanism such as national emergencies to impose duties on foreign countries.
“Under this system, an additional ad valorem duty may be imposed on imports of goods that are products of a foreign country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba,” Trump wrote in the order.
“In my judgment, the tariff system, as described below, is necessary and appropriate to address the national emergency declared in this order,” he continued.
