President Obama moved to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and the opening of an embassy in Havana is a controversial announcement this week.
According to the New York Times, the move represents a dramatic turning point in relations with the island nation that has long vexed the United States. The newspaper said the United States will ease restrictions on remittances, travel and banking, while Cuba will allow more Internet access and release 53 Cubans identified as political prisoners by the United States. The decision to lift the embargo will require an act of Congress.
Many Republicans were not on board with the president’s announcement, including new House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas).
“I have long been a supporter of relaxing agricultural trade restrictions with Cuba and providing humanitarian support for the Cuban people,” Conaway said. “However, the policies currently in place created advantages that the president has simply given away with this deal and will largely serve to enrich the leaders of Cuba.”
Long-term, American Farm Bureau Federation Trade Specialist Dave Salmonsen said the agreement could open new trade markets.
“Certainly, if the Cuban economy improves over time, if they’re better and have more disposable income, and if we have more normalized trade in food and agricultural products, then you could see a wide range of products improve,” Salmonsen said.