Kathmandu. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing tariffs on all goods imported from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba.

The move is expected to put particular pressure on Mexico, one of Cuba’s major oil suppliers. Although Mexico has expressed solidarity with Cuba, it is now trying to balance relations with the Trump administration.

When asked by reporters if he was trying to “suppress” Cuba, Trump said the word was harsh and that Cuba could not survive in the long run.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and other officials strongly condemned the order. He described it as a “brutal attack on Cubans and the Cuban people” and accused them of using “coercion and intimidation” to force other countries to join the US sanctions policy.

Cuba, which is in deep energy and economic crisis, relies on oil supplies from allies such as Mexico, Russia and Venezuela. U.S. sanctions and recent events related to Venezuela have raised fears that oil supplies to Cuba will be reduced.

About 20,000 barrels of oil were shipped to Cuba a day from the beginning of 2025 to September, according to Mexico’s state-owned oil company Pemex. But energy experts say the amount has dropped significantly in recent weeks.

Mexican President Claudia Senbaum said the temporary suspension was the result of “normal volatility” and not “U.S. pressure”. He said Mexico was committed to continuing humanitarian assistance to Cuba, but made clear plans for future supplies.

Trump and Senbaum spoke by phone on Thursday but did not discuss Cuba, Mexico said. However, Mexico is said to be willing to play the role of a mediator between the US and Cuba.

It is unclear what impact Trump’s order will have on Cuba’s energy supply and regional politics. In Cuba, there are growing concerns about fuel shortages and long queues for petrol. Cuban officials say decades of economic pressure have failed and that the new order has tightened the blockade.