With U.S.-Cuba Ties Restored, Embargo Leaves Trade Restrictions In Place
With U.S.-Cuba Ties Restored, Embargo Leaves Trade Restrictions In Place
The number of Spanish, Canadian, and Latin American companies that are traveling to Cuba today before the Americans lift the restrictions is incredible, says AS/COA’s Susan Segal.
Washington, D.C., and Havana may have restored diplomatic ties, but the crippling trade embargo against Cuba is still in place — for now. President Obama has started paving the way to increase the export of agricultural products to Cuba, and to begin exporting construction and telecommunications equipment.
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
Now that the U.S. and Cuba have restored diplomatic relations, there are many farmers and CEOs in this country who want to know whether trade will be next. Cuba's economy has been hobbled by the half-century old U.S. trade embargo, and Americans have also been unable to tap into a potential dynamic market. President Obama has started paving the way to change that. Here's NPR's Jackie Northam with more....
....NORTHAM: But Lane says to fully normalize trade relations with Cuba, the embargo needs to be lifted, and only Congress can do that. Lane says he's been regularly meeting members of Congress to make the case. In the meantime, the competition is heading to Cuba, says Susan Segal, president of Americas Society/Council of the Americas.
SUSAN SEGAL: The number of Spanish, Canadian, Latin American companies that are traveling to Cuba today to get there before the Americans totally lift the restrictions and can go and invest is incredible....
