Can Trade With Cuba Be Far Behind?
Action taken by President Barack Obama last week could mean normalized trade relations with Cuba could resume within a few years. The president lifted all restrictions on family visits and remittances for Cuban-Americans and directed the U.S. government to take steps that will facilitate greater contact between separated family members in the U.S. and Cuba. It would also increase the flow of information and humanitarian resources directly to the Cuban people. The president also called on the Cuban government to reduce the charges it levies on cash remittances sent to the island. According to Rebecca Bratter, director of policy, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the actions still impact the measures that restrict the free flow of trade between the U.S. and Cuba as well as additional sales of U.S. wheat. However, U.S. Wheat Associates remains optimistic that the effort will lead to full normalization in the near future, including a full repeal of the travel ban for all U.S. and Cuban citizens
