Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba

[rcarlson]

3 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

You said it not me, no misinterpretation there.

 Well, you did it again.  Whateves. 

[El Presidente]

13 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

 This could be approached differently and the US could have faster results chasing the money. DC and the Crab have recently been flying to Cayman and Panama more than usual, probably moving their $$$ around. From the flight lists they know they are coming. You attack that you get results. DC has $120 million+interest in an account in Tortola BVI from the Fidel days. Everybody wants a piece of that. You press charges of embezelment, laundering, hell even Rico statute and they'll get results. But everybody wants to sit around the campfire and sing kumbaya. Fantasies are good for people. John

You take Diaz out John. No problem. 

Next man/General/Comrade steps up. Take him out. Next man/General/Comrade steps up. You may get Venezuela. You are unlikely to get open democracy.

Question without malice John. Are you looking for boots on the ground? I could see a slim chance if there was a popular uprising and the timing was right (Iran episode successfully completed) and there was a political advantage to be taken in a Cuba intervention. 

Plenty of self made, wealthy Vietnamese John. One of the fastest growing middle classes in the world today.

It has indeed been 40 years since Vietnam changed from a centrally planned, command economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. The policy opened the country to foreign investment, private enterprise, and de-collectivized agriculture. From one of the poorest countries in the world to a regional economic powerhouse that will likely rival Singapore within a decade. Assuming there is no appetite for direct military US intervention outside of the removal of some top honchos. If the US could "force"/"participate" in that economic change, all the better. That was my thought process. 

Fully respect your Plan A approach. Just questioning if there are sufficient domestic Cubans and US politicians willing to pay the price. 

[JohnS]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

He is transactional (not questioned).

Rob, I just checked Amazon and the 2015 edition of Trump: The Art of the Deal is available in hardcover for $US16.08. Then again, I just got distracted (just now) by books related to this purchase; specifically Sun Tzu's The Art of War being available in Hardcover for $US6.59. Maybe that's a better deal and more pertinent at the moment?

[Li Bai]

14 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Rob, I just checked Amazon and the 2015 edition of Trump: The Art of the Deal is available in hardcover for $US16.08. Then again, I just got distracted (just now) by books related to this purchase; specifically Sun Tzu's The Art of War being available in Hardcover for $US6.59. Maybe that's a better deal and more pertinent at the moment?

I'd go with Sun Tzu, no contest. I'd even go further and double down with Miyamoto Musashi's "Gorin no sho" for the same price 😉

[El Presidente]

27 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Rob, I just checked Amazon and the 2015 edition of Trump: The Art of the Deal is available in hardcover for $US16.08. Then again, I just got distracted (just now) by books related to this purchase; specifically Sun Tzu's The Art of War being available in Hardcover for $US6.59. Maybe that's a better deal and more pertinent at the moment?

I am the owner of Sun Tzu's: The Art of War. I would by principle refuse to put a royalty cent in Donald's wallet. 

Favourite book still is by Mark McCormack. Founder of IMG (International Management Group). "What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School"

 

[LargeFarva51]

I assume Cuban cigar pricing would go down? Or maybe they would just keep the demand high, supply low and continue to line their pockets.

[MrBirdman]

On 3/9/2026 at 4:57 PM, El Presidente said:

Iran episode successfully completed

No chance of that anytime soon.

If there was a total breakdown of order in Cuba, a naval blockade to stop emigrants is more likely.

[JohnnyO]

On 3/10/2026 at 7:57 AM, El Presidente said:

You take Diaz out John. No problem. 

Next man/General/Comrade steps up. Take him out. Next man/General/Comrade steps up. You may get Venezuela. You are unlikely to get open democracy.

Question without malice John. Are you looking for boots on the ground? I could see a slim chance if there was a popular uprising and the timing was right (Iran episode successfully completed) and there was a political advantage to be taken in a Cuba intervention. 

Plenty of self made, wealthy Vietnamese John. One of the fastest growing middle classes in the world today.

It has indeed been 40 years since Vietnam changed from a centrally planned, command economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. The policy opened the country to foreign investment, private enterprise, and de-collectivized agriculture. From one of the poorest countries in the world to a regional economic powerhouse that will likely rival Singapore within a decade. Assuming there is no appetite for direct military US intervention outside of the removal of some top honchos. If the US could "force"/"participate" in that economic change, all the better. That was my thought process. 

Fully respect your Plan A approach. Just questioning if there are sufficient domestic Cubans and US politicians willing to pay the price. 

No boots on the ground Prez. Chase the $$$, seize the accounts. Offer deals to ones that can produce more accounts/properties. How did they get Chen Zhi by putting an embargo around Cambodia? This is no different, they know who has money and businesses abroad. Vietnam is only growing because of the distaste of China and they had/have an infrastructure in place better than Cuba has. They'll keep growing only because of China. Don't have an answer on how to develop Cuba, it needs outside foreign investment not just the Cubans in Miami. But to get the communists out, seize assets and put them in the can. If the orange haired ayatollah can blow up boats in international waters, Cuba is a cake walk. By the way, I was there this weekend and diesel was $4/liter, gasoline $7/liter, most of Havana was without water 8 days due to the power outage as of the 3/4/26. 

[El Presidente]

9 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

Vietnam is only growing because of the distaste of China and they had/have an infrastructure in place better than Cuba has. They'll keep growing only because of China. Don't have an answer on how to develop Cuba, it needs outside foreign investment not just the Cubans in Miami. But to get the communists out, seize assets and put them in the can. If the orange haired ayatollah can blow up boats in international waters, Cuba is a cake walk.

I am not sure of your familiarity with Vietnam, John. From my experience, Vietnam's success is very much attributable to the dynamism of it's people. They bloody work hard. The hybrid communist system still allows them to get wealthy while maintaining political state control.  

China and Vietnam have one of the largest and most complex trade relationships in Asia. They are simultaneously close economic partners and strategic competitors. Cuba and the USA could be similar. Well, similar as a starting point to where Vietnam was 40 years ago. 

The above is not an endorsement. It is simply an observation. 

[REesq]

El Presidente's observations ring true to me. I’ve only been to Cuba a few times, certainly less than many here, but the industriousness of many of the people there, particularly the ones running the private restaurants, always struck me as a potentially huge positive force in the event capital ever became available. Also, McCormack’s book is a favorite of mine. A great read for anyone who hasn’t.

[JohnnyO]

Prez...none of those communist economies will function with this administration or any in the near future because of the rules outlined in the Helms-Burton act. Free elections, free market, freedom of speech, extradition of all persons sought by US Department of Justice. No more communism. Besides a communist run economy is just a facade for a family run business. US Congress is the only group that can rescind the law. It would be difficult for them to follow the Nam-China economic model you propose. Florida has 3 Senators with Cuban ties putting pressure on Washington and Rubio as well. Rubio has stated the Castros will not continue, he wants them all out. Maybe you just don't understand the level of hate Miami Cubans and many around the world have for communism and the Castros. 

[El Presidente]

37 minutes ago, JohnnyO said:

 Maybe you just don't understand the level of hate Miami Cubans and many around the world have for communism and the Castros. 

....you haven't met Hamlet yet obviously. 

39 minutes ago, JohnnyO said:

Prez...none of those communist economies will function with this administration or any in the near future because of the rules outlined in the Helms-Burton act. Free elections, free market, freedom of speech, extradition of all persons sought by US Department of Justice. No more communism. 

Fully understood and the largest barrier here I suspect to just "doing a Venezuela" and moving on. 

40 minutes ago, JohnnyO said:

Besides a communist run economy is just a facade for a family run business.

.......I can think of a major global capitlaist economy that is currently being run the same way 

[JohnnyO]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

....you haven't met Hamlet yet obviously. 

Fully understood and the largest barrier here I suspect to just "doing a Venezuela" and moving on. 

.......I can think of a major global capitlaist economy that is currently being run the same way 

I've met Hamlet, when he first got to Miami. There are millions like him that want to see an end to that system. Why don't you have him do a Master Class on Communism so everybody can get a better feel for it? 

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, JohnnyO said:

 There are millions like him that want to see an end to that system. Why don't you have him do a Master Class on Communism so everybody can get a better feel for it? 

Hammy and I have had many a discussion over the past 23 years on this subject. I have never seen a man so excited during the 2021 riots/protests, or so disappointed at the result. 

I hope the US administration manages to break this govt. I don't believe I have ever proposed the China model. I do see the Vietnam model as being the second best choice (after freedom/democracy) as it is foreign investment promoting and more personal freedom permissive. Still a one party state however. Can't escape that one. 

It will be interesting to see what Rubio and co settle for. Assuming they settle for anything outside of a free Cuba. 

[Puros Y Vino]

15 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Hammy and I have had many a discussion over the past 23 years on this subject. I have never seen a man so excited during the 2021 riots/protests, or so disappointed at the result. 

I hope the US administration manages to break this govt. I don't believe I have ever proposed the China model. I do see the Vietnam model as being the second best choice (after freedom/democracy) as it is foreign investment promoting and more personal freedom permissive. Still a one party state however. Can't escape that one. 

It will be interesting to see what Rubio and co settle for. Assuming they settle for anything outside of a free Cuba. 

Given the current "Brain trust" in place, I don't think we're going to see a well thought out and measured approach. You're going to see a Capitalist Revenge Tour.  Castro's greatest hits, hit back. All the US Corporations that were screwed over by Castro taking over their business/operations are going to line up at the table asking to be compensated. Whether its' cash (good luck) or land (most likely). Look to see American hotels claim all the beach fronts. Maybe they can get that sugarcane production back to where it was pre-Castro too? As for our beloved Cuban marcas, there's a bunch of stakeholders under the General Cigar umbrella that would like to have a turn too. In the end, the Cuban people continue to get screwed. Rich people will get richer. Countries friendly to Cuba such as China, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Canada, etc that have interests there and who are owed $$'s by the Cuban gov't will be shut out.  

[WestCoastSmokin]

On 3/16/2026 at 3:43 PM, El Presidente said:

Hammy and I have had many a discussion over the past 23 years on this subject. I have never seen a man so excited during the 2021 riots/protests, or so disappointed at the result. 

I hope the US administration manages to break this govt. I don't believe I have ever proposed the China model. I do see the Vietnam model as being the second best choice (after freedom/democracy) as it is foreign investment promoting and more personal freedom permissive. Still a one party state however. Can't escape that one. 

It will be interesting to see what Rubio and co settle for. Assuming they settle for anything outside of a free Cuba. 

I doubt they care that much about a “free Cuba”. They are probably looking at what will benefit their personal interests the most. That’s the most I’ll say on that. 

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, WestCoastSmokin said:

I doubt they care that much about a “free Cuba”. They are probably looking at what will benefit their personal interests the most. That’s the most I’ll say on that.

I have a little more faith in Rubio on this one. Maybe it is misplaced, maybe his hands will be tied. We are about to find out. 

[Puros Y Vino]

Just got this in my email.

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/cuba-to-allow-cuban-american-investment-and-property-ownership?lid=9mxtvtxettzn

[Çnote]

On 3/10/2026 at 2:21 AM, Li Bai said:

I'd go with Sun Tzu, no contest. I'd even go further and double down with Miyamoto Musashi's "Gorin no sho" for the same price 😉

Required reading both!

[helix]

2 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Just got this in my email.

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/cuba-to-allow-cuban-american-investment-and-property-ownership?lid=9mxtvtxettzn

Like Cuba has a choice.

[WestCoastSmokin]

2 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Just got this in my email.

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/cuba-to-allow-cuban-american-investment-and-property-ownership?lid=9mxtvtxettzn

I’m sure Marco Rubio is happy…

[WestCoastSmokin]

18 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I have a little more faith in Rubio on this one. Maybe it is misplaced, maybe his hands will be tied. We are about to find out. 

We will see for sure!