The trigger came on January 29, when Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency, establishing a mechanism to impose additional tariffs on imports into the US from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly.

Under the order, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is tasked with monitoring implementation and recommending further measures as developments unfold.

In the order’s explanatory text, Trump wrote that he has a duty to protect US national security and foreign policy, arguing that the “policies, conduct, and actions” of the Cuban government constitute an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States. He accused Havana of cooperating with hostile states and international terrorist organizations, including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.