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Trump Eyes Surprise Economic Deal with Cuba
The administration is preparing a potential agreement that could include relaxing travel restrictions and dropping some sanctions.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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The Trump administration is preparing an economic deal with Cuba that could be announced soon, according to two sources with knowledge of the administration's plans. The details of the prospective deal and exact timing are not known, but an agreement could include a relaxation on Americans' ability to travel to Havana and the U.S. government dropping some sanctions. Discussions have also included an offramp for President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Castro family remaining on the island, and deals on ports, energy, and tourism.
Why it matters
This potential deal marks a shift in the Trump administration's approach to Cuba, moving away from the hardline stance taken earlier in his presidency. It suggests the administration is seeking to economically integrate Cuba with the U.S. rather than pursue regime change through confrontation, a strategy that differs from the Obama administration's efforts.
The details
The Trump administration has ratcheted up pressure on Cuba's government in recent days with thinly veiled warnings that it could indict Cuban government officials. Discussions have included an offramp for President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Castro family remaining on the island, and deals on ports, energy, and tourism. The U.S. government has floated dropping some sanctions as part of the potential agreement.
- On March 7, Trump told Latin American leaders that Cuba was negotiating with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other members of the administration.
- In the past week, Trump has indicated he would prefer to wait until the United States' war with Iran wraps up to turn to Cuba.
The players
Donald Trump
The former president of the United States who is preparing an economic deal with Cuba.
Marco Rubio
The U.S. Secretary of State who has been in discussions with the Cuban government regarding the potential deal.
Miguel Díaz-Canel
The current president of Cuba who could be offered an offramp as part of the potential agreement.
Raul Castro
The former president of Cuba whose family is expected to remain on the island as part of the potential deal.
What they’re saying
“Cuba's at the end of the line. They're very much at the end of the line. They have no money. They have no oil. They have a bad philosophy. They have a bad regime that's been bad for a long time.”
— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States (usatoday.com)
“As we achieve a historic transformation in Venezuela, we're also looking forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba.”
— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States (usatoday.com)
What’s next
The details of the prospective deal and exact timing are not known, but an announcement could come soon.
The takeaway
This potential deal represents a shift in the Trump administration's approach to Cuba, moving away from confrontation and towards economic integration. It suggests the administration is seeking to leverage its leverage over Cuba to achieve its goals, rather than pursuing regime change through direct military or political action.
