Pratik AgrawalFrance’s largest shipping company, CMA CGM, has suspended all cargo bookings to and from Cuba citing a May executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump that threatens foreign financial institutions with sanctions for dealing with Cuba-linked entities.
French Shipping Giant Pulls the Plug on Cuba Routes
France’s shipping powerhouse CMA CGM has suspended all cargo bookings to and from Cuba. The company confirmed the decision pointing directly to a May 1 executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump as the driving reason behind the move.
“French shipping giant CMA CGM has suspended all bookings to Cuba and from Cuba,” the company stated in its official comment.
Trump’s Order Rattles Global Shippers
The company added that it is closely watching the evolving situation and will adjust its operations to align with new regulations as they come into effect.
CMA CGM is not the first major carrier to step back from Cuba. German shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd had already halted its Cuba bookings earlier also citing the Trump executive order as the reason behind its decision.
What Trump’s Order Actually Says
In May, Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. authorities to impose restrictions on any foreign financial institution that carries out transactions on behalf of Cuba-based individuals or companies currently under U.S. blocking sanctions.
This latest Cuba-focused order wasn’t the first. Back in January, Trump signed a separate order one that allows tariffs on imports from countries supplying oil to Cuba. Around the same time, he declared a national emergency, citing what he described as an alleged Cuban threat to U.S. national security.
Cuba Pushes Back
The Cuban government has pushed back hard against Washington’s escalating pressure. Havana has stated that through its energy blockade, the United States is deliberately trying to suffocate Cuba’s economy and make living conditions for ordinary Cubans unbearable.
Akshay Didwaniya
Aditya Didwaniya
