Despite rants, Trump’s Cuba review changes little

US President Donald Trump vowed on Friday to overhaul Barack Obama’s deal to restore ties with Cuba, promising to instead support the Cuban people against Raul Castro’s government.

Trump flew to Miami’s Little Havana, spiritual home of the CubanAmerican community, to denounce Obama’s “one-sided” settlement and pledge to work for Cuba’s freedom.

In practical terms, Trump’s review of the deal was limited. He will not break the diplomatic ties Obama worked so carefully to restore, nor does he plan to impose new trade sanctions.

But he tightened rules for Americans travelling to Cuba, banned ties with a military-run tourism firm, and reaffirmed the existing US trade embargo — which will be firmly enforced.

The Cuban government response was restrained. In a statement on state television it denounced the measures, but said Havana “reiterates its willingness to continue dialogue and co-operation”.

“Effective immediately, I am cancelling the last administration’s completely one-sided deal with Cuba,” Trump said to cheers at the Manuel Artime Theatre.

Trump also announced that he is under investigation in connection with a probe into alleged Russian election meddling that is gnawing away at his administration — and gathering pace.

Trump’s early morning barrage of tweets — his second in as many days — came as the special counsel investigating Russia’s influence over his election set up a top legal team and readied to begin interviews.

Trump is accused of firing FBI director James Comey over his refusal to steer the probe away from former national security adviser and Trump ally Mike Flynn. — AFP