Cuba confirms talks with Trump officials, raising hopes for US deal
USA TODAY
Cuba's leader signals he's open to signing an economic deal with the Trump administration as the White House cuts off fuel supplies.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on March 13 confirmed his government is holding talks with the Trump administration, in the latest sign that the communist-run nation is open to signing an economic deal with the United States.
Díaz-Canel made the announcement in a video broadcast on national television and he also spoke in a subsequent press conference, where he addressed Cuba's energy needs amid a U.S. oil blockade, saying no fuel has entered Cuba in three months. He said the talks with the U.S. have reached initial phases only.
"These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences that exist between our two nations," Díaz-Canel said.
The rare comments from the Cuban leader could potentially lead to Cuba’s biggest economic opening since the state seized and enacted sweeping nationalizations to the economy in 1961 in the wake of the Cuban Revolution. It comes amid escalating pressure from President Donald Trump to force a change on Cuba that could have implications for Americans' ability to travel to and do business on the Caribbean island.
USA TODAY previously reported that the Trump administration is preparing an economic deal with Cuba that could be announced soon, though the details of the prospective deal and exact timing are not known.
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