This time Cuba is not included in the list of countries penalised by the United States. The US government announced on Tuesday the imposition of high tariffs on numerous countries around the world. It is perhaps the only punitive list of the imperial government in which Cuba is not included. And this miracle? for the simple reason that the economic, financial and commercial blockade of more than 60 years prevents the sale of Cuban products in the USA.

At current prices, the accumulated damage during more than six decades of this economic war against Cuba amounts to 164 141.1 million dollars. Taking into account the behaviour of the dollar against the value of gold on the international market, the blockade has caused quantifiable damages of more than 1,499,710 million dollars.

Cuba’s unjust presence on the List of States that Allegedly Sponsor Terrorism further tightens the limitations and prohibitions applied to the country by virtue of the blockade, while reinforcing the dissuasive and intimidating effects on third parties in their relations with the island.

The aggravated effect of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on the country by the United States caused from 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 material damages estimated at 5 056.8 million dollars.

This figure represents an increase of 189.8 million dollars over that previously reported and, at the same time, is equivalent to an approximate impact of more than 421 million dollars per month, more than 13.8 million dollars per day, and more than 575,683 dollars in damages for each hour of blockade. It is estimated that, in the absence of the blockade, Cuba’s GDP at current prices could have grown by around 8% in 2023.

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In the period from March 2023 to February 2024, losses due to the geographical relocation of trade, given the need to resort to more distant markets, are estimated to be in the order of 581,700,000 dollars.

In addition, costs for freight, insurance and the use of trade intermediaries, with the consequent higher cost of goods, amount to USD 485.7 million.

On 2 April, the United States introduced reciprocal tariffs which, according to President Trump, will affect almost all countries in the world and will «allow the US to recover its wealth». In detail, the occupant of the White House announced tariffs of at least 10% on virtually all goods entering the country, in addition to even higher rates for dozens of countries that have the largest trade deficits with the United States.

In the speech, the Republican revealed the full list of countries subject to reciprocal tariffs with rates ranging from 10% to 49%.

Although White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously said the tariffs would go into effect as soon as Trump announced them, it was specified that the 10% base trade barriers would go into effect on 5 April, and on 9 April for those nations with larger deficits. The trade war has been unleashed.