Cuba sanctions extended one year under Trading With the Enemy Act

The President has extended for one year the exercise of certain authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act with respect to Cuba, keeping the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in force until September 14, 2027. The decision is set out in Presidential Determination No. 2026-21, signed at the White House on August 20, 2026, and published in the Federal Register of August 25, 2026 (Vol. 91, No. 163, Presidential Documents, p. 54935; FR Doc. 2026-17374).

The determination continues the authorities that were scheduled to expire on September 14, 2026, finding that their continuation for one year is in the national interest of the United States.

Legal basis and background

The extension is issued under section 101(b) of Public Law 95-223 (91 Stat. 1625; 50 U.S.C. 4305 note), the statute that governs the exercise of emergency economic authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act. It follows a previous determination of August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42795, September 4, 2025), which had set the current expiration date.

The authorities are implemented through the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, codified at 31 C.F.R. Part 515, administered by the Department of the Treasury.

Scope of the measure

The determination affects all U.S. persons and entities doing business with Cuba, since the continued authorities underpin the embargo framework:

• U.S. persons remain subject to the restrictions on transactions with Cuba.
• U.S. entities and their foreign branches continue to face the prohibitions set out in the regulations.
• The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Impact

For U.S. companies, financial institutions and individuals with any exposure to Cuba, the one-year continuation means the existing compliance obligations under 31 C.F.R. Part 515 remain unchanged through September 14, 2027. The annual renewal keeps the embargo regime in place without modification, requiring affected parties to maintain their current licensing and reporting practices.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 163, August 25, 2026, Presidential Documents, p. 54935 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026-17374).