Exclusive: Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba

The Trump administration is preparing to announce an economic deal with Cuba that could be unveiled soon, two sources with knowledge of the administration’s plans said.

“Exclusive: Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba - The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to announce an economic deal with Cuba”

USA TODAY

The article says the details and timing are not known, but an agreement could include a relaxation on Americans' ability to travel to Havana, a change President Trump could implement without Congress.

USA TODAY

Discussions have included an offramp for President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Castro family remaining on the island, and potential deals on ports, energy and tourism.

The U.S. government has floated dropping some sanctions as part of the talks.

USA TODAY frames the potential deal as part of a broader U.S. strategy following the dramatic U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the abrupt cutoff of oil shipments, noting the administration appears to be advancing moves that reframe regime change through economic deals that prioritize U.S. interests rather than a blunt-force campaign.

President Trump has publicly said Cuba is negotiating with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that Rubio, himself and other unnamed administration members are involved.

USA TODAY

Trump told Latin American leaders at the Shield of the Americas summit on March 7, 'Cuba's 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.'

He also told Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas at a March 5 White House event, 'You won't need my approval, you just fly back in.'

Trump said he preferred to wait until the United States' war with Iran wraps up before turning fully to Cuba.

The article reports uncertainty about what the United States would get in return for a deal.

“Exclusive: Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba - The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to announce an economic deal with Cuba”

USA TODAY

It says former U.S. officials who’ve worked on Cuba policy have privately questioned how close the administration actually is to a deal.

Sources told USA TODAY the administration has ratcheted up pressure on Cuba with thinly veiled warnings that it could indict Cuban government officials.

Rubio and his aides have reportedly been in secret talks with Raul Castro's grandson, Raulito Castro, a person described as close to his grandfather.

The White House declined to comment on those reports, and senior administration officials have not shot them down.

The story is reported by Francesca Chambers, White House Correspondent for USA TODAY.