Trump Plans Cuba Talks Ahead of China Visit

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Cuba was seeking help from the United States and that the two countries would enter negotiations, although he did not provide details about the planned talks.

“No Republican has ever talked to me about Cuba, which is a failed country and is going in only one direction: down. Cuba is asking for help and we will negotiate”, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He also announced that he was departing for China to meet President Xi Jinping.

The comments come after months of rising tensions between Washington and Havana. The Trump administration has tightened financial sanctions on the island, expanded travel restrictions and imposed measures affecting fuel supplies following the detention of a Venezuelan leader who is a longtime ally of Cuba.

At the same time, Washington has sought to discourage regional partners from cooperating with Cuban medical missions abroad. Trump has previously suggested that Cuba could be “next” in terms of increased US pressure.

Neither the White House nor the US State Department immediately responded to questions regarding the possible negotiations. Cuban authorities also did not comment publicly.

Meanwhile, China, which Trump is scheduled to visit this week, has repeatedly called on Washington to lift the embargo and sanctions imposed on Havana.

(reuters, bak)