U.S. Expands Sanctions and Tariffs Amid Rising Global Tensions
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 29 declaring a national emergency and threatening to impose ad valorem tariffs on goods exported to the United States by countries that supply oil to Cuba.
This move comes amid sharply deteriorating relations between the United States and Cuba. Earlier this month, the U.S. launched large-scale military strikes against Venezuela, after which President Trump hinted that Cuba could become the next focus of U.S. attention.
On January 11, President Trump further increased pressure on Havana, warning that unless Cuba “reaches an agreement quickly,” it would face a future of “zero oil and zero capital inflows.”
In response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba does not seek to attack or threaten any country but is fully prepared to defend every inch of its territory.
Cuba Conducts National Defense Exercises
According to the official website of the Cuban Presidency, Díaz-Canel inspected a national defense combat exercise on the morning of January 24, aimed at evaluating coordination across all components of Cuba’s territorial defense system.
At the opening of the exercise, Díaz-Canel emphasized that “the best way to prevent aggression is to ensure that imperial powers must carefully weigh the cost of attacking Cuba.” He noted that such deterrence depends largely on Cuba’s level of preparedness for potential military actions.
Following the exercise, Díaz-Canel described it as “highly significant under the current circumstances,” praising the participating personnel for their readiness, cohesion, and coordination. He stated that the drills demonstrated tangible results from Cuba’s systematic, rigorous, and intensive national defense preparations, while also strengthening patriotism, anti-imperialist sentiment, and national unity.
U.S. Suspends Certification of Canadian Aircraft
In a separate development on January 29, President Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that Canada has “wrongfully, illegally, and for a long time” refused to certify U.S.-made Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 business jets, which he characterized as unfair treatment toward American companies.
As a countermeasure, the United States will suspend certification of Bombardier Global series aircraft and all Canadian-manufactured aircraft until Gulfstream jets receive full approval.
President Trump warned that if the issue is not resolved immediately, the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold into the American market.
Higher Tariffs on South Korean Goods
Previously, according to China Central Television (CCTV), President Trump announced on January 26 that the U.S. would raise tariffs on goods from South Korea, citing the South Korean National Assembly’s failure to approve and implement a trade agreement previously reached with the United States.
Trump stated that the agreement was concluded with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed during his visit to South Korea on October 29, 2025. However, due to the lack of legislative approval, the U.S. has decided to increase tariff rates on South Korean automobiles, timber, pharmaceutical products, and other reciprocal tariff items from 15% to 25%.
What This Means for Global Trade
These developments signal a further escalation in U.S. trade and geopolitical strategy, with potential ripple effects across global supply chains, energy markets, aviation manufacturing, and international logistics.
For companies engaged in cross-border trade, particularly those operating in North America, the Caribbean, and East Asia, close attention to policy changes, tariff adjustments, and compliance requirements will be increasingly important in the coming months.
