Giraldilla.com founder, Brian Alexander, appearing in USA Today, January 17, 2002...

USA TODAY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002, P. 12A, LETTERS

END CUBA EMBARGO

Brian Alexander

When ships loaded with American agricultural products pulled into Havana harbor in December, it marked the first sale of U.S. farm goods to Cuba in four decades.  Unfortunately, this historic event could become a one-time deal.

The U.S. embargo tightly restricts trade with Cuba, and President Fidel Castro stubbornly resists doing business with the USA.

But this business would be considerable.  Recent studies demonstrate that the embargo hurts American companies, causing Americans to miss out on billions of dollars in potential trade with Cuba.

The mutual gains of trade should increase Washington’s and Havana’s interests in economic ties.  Cuba’s economy, entering its worst period in more than five years, would benefit from trade with its northern neighbor.  The USA should test Castro’s limits by ending the embargo completely.

Improved trade relations could reduce U.S.-Cuban political tensions.  Castro’s enmity for the U.S. government is no secret, but the embargo has done little to change this or foster democracy. 

Trade would create mutual interests and engender a climate of negotiation and cooperation.

Further, the United States would improve its political leverage in Cuba because trade could be used as an incentive for reform – particularly as independent Cubans outside the Castro government press to conduct business with the United States.

Brian Alexander

Washington, DC

Copyright © 2002, USA Today.

Giraldilla.com: Trade & Policy Intelligence on Cuba, since 1999