Why China Isn't Offering More Support to Ally Cuba Amid U.S. Pressure

China describes its relationship with Cuba as one of "good brothers, good comrades, good friends," reflecting decades of close ties built on historical, political, and ideological foundations. Cuba serves as a key bridge for Beijing into Latin America, yet China has adopted a cautious approach to the Caribbean nation's current severe crisis.

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Good brothers, good comrades, good friends.

While China has been a crucial trading partner and has restructured Cuban debts in the past, its support during the current crisis appears constrained by strategic, economic, and geopolitical factors. Margaret Meyers, director of the Asia and Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, notes that the relationship has long been viewed through a political and ideological lens, a perspective that continues today.

In response to the current crisis, exacerbated by potential U.S. sanctions on oil shipments, China has provided Cuba with significant donations, including approximately 60,000 tons of rice and $80 million for electrical equipment and energy infrastructure. China is also investing in and donating to renewable energy projects, particularly solar photovoltaic parks, aiming to reduce Cuba's reliance on scarce oil.

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For a long time, we saw a relationship based on the idea of helping Cuba from a primarily political and ideological lens. And that continues today.

Experts like Helen Yafe, an academic specializing in Latin American political economy, acknowledge China's solidarity but argue its support remains limited. Although China has vocally opposed U.S. measures and defended Cuba's right to its own economic system, its practical assistance is tempered by broader international considerations. Data from Ember shows a dramatic increase, over 1,800%, in imports of solar panels and batteries from China to Cuba between 2020 and 2025, indicating a growing focus on renewable energy cooperation.

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China has been very vocal, has clearly stated that it opposes the measures taken by the United States and has defended Cuba's right to have its own economic system.