Trump insists Republicans aren’t counseling him on his get-tough Cuba policy

President Trump said Tuesday that no Republicans have ever approached him about his plans for Cuba, rebuffing critics within the GOP and taking full ownership of his Cuba policy.

“No Republican has ever spoken to me about Cuba, which is a failed country and only heading in one direction — down! Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk,” Mr. Trump said, adding extra exclamation points. “In the meantime, I’m off to China!”

While the vast majority of congressional Republicans back Mr. Trump’s hard-line posture toward Cuba, critics of a potential military intervention include GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine.

Mr. Trump has increased the U.S. pressure campaign against Havana, which his administration regards as a national security threat. Recently, the president said the U.S. would be “taking over” Cuba almost immediately.

He also discussed a possibility where he would position a