Exclusive: Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today.

Updated March 8, 2026, 7:57 p.m. ET


DORAL, FL – The Trump administration is preparing an economic deal with Cuba that could be announced soon, two sources with knowledge of the administration’s plans said.

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. Trump would not need Congress’ approval to loosen those types of restrictions. Discussions have included an off-ramp 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.

After the dramatic U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and the abrupt cutoff of oil shipments, the island appeared to be the administration’s next target for regime change. But instead of a blunt-force campaign to topple Havana’s communist government, the Trump administration is advancing moves that reframe regime change through economic deals that prioritize U.S. interests, staving off an all-out confrontation.

President Barack Obama lifted some of the rules during the final years of his presidency only to see Trump put some of them back in place during his first term.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/03/08/trump-administration-cuba-economic-deal/89054230007/

[JBTaurus83]

1. Translation:

Steal some of their resources and then back stab them anyhow.

[Lovie777]

2. Pretty much.......

[BumRushDaShow]

3. He wants to build a "BIG BEAUTIFUL" CASINO

in Havana.

(mark my words)

[Javaman]

4. he's wants it the way it was under bastiesta. nt

[newdeal2]

5. Rubio (and others) certainly do

Trump is too ignorant or greedy to care about anything except money and power.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. He doesn't care about Batista (or his legacy)

He only cares about "real estate" and "entertainment businesses" with his name on them.

[Bengus81]

12. And he wants American as it was under Hoover

[Redleg]

7. Looks like USAToday fell for the ol' Trump B.S. again

When will the media learn to not treat such statements as signs of Trump's intentions?

[William Seger]

8. Yeah, I'm expecting Leavitt to tell us it's just up to #rump if we have a deal (nt)

[Lonestarblue]

9. Aside from Rubio pushing to take over Cuba, Trump probably wants their natural resources.

Al Jazeera reported that Cuba "contains significant deposits of rare and critical earth minerals, including the world’s third-largest reserve of cobalt, a key mineral used in lithium-ion batteries and other advanced technologies." How many of Trump's tech billionaires have urged him to take over Cuba and mine their resources? For free, of course, so the Cuban people get nothing while Trump gets his take and billionaires get another supply of rare earths.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/11/beyond-pressure-what-is-the-trump-administrations-endgame-in-cuba

[Martin68]

10. Sounds like Cuba bribed Trumpy.

[travelingthrulife]

11. So, obviously, USA Today, he is again going to make a terrible deal and when they

refuse he will begin bombing them.How many times can our ridiculous media fall for the same scam?

[Icanthinkformyself]

13. "The details of the prospective deal and exact timing are not known."

Probably because Cuba isn't involved in the discussions. Cuba has already thrown the mafia out once. I don't think it wants to invite it back.