Renewed efforts in Congress to lift the Cuba trade embargo

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Renewed efforts in Congress to lift the Cuba trade embargo

The 117th Congress will renew efforts to lift the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

Democratic Senators have introduced legislation to end the long-standing embargo and increase trade with the communist country.

Minnesota U.S. Senator Tina Smith led a trade mission to Cuba in 2015 while she was Lieutenant Governor and tells Brownfield she’s optimistic about expanding access to Cuban markets for America’s farmers and ranchers.

“We could see what a perfect trading partner Cuba is because of the complimentary nature of what we are good at growing, they don’t have. And what they are good at growing that we don’t have, like chocolate for example.”

The Democrat member of the Senate Ag Committee says while it does not compare to China in terms of scale, Cuba still presents significant trade opportunities.

“And I’m optimistic that we’re going to be able to move back to a more rational and sensible trading relationship with Cuba. I think that’s what the Biden administration hopes for, and it’s certainly what I’ve been working for.”

Smith says the Trump administration pulled back inroads the U.S. had been making toward expanding trade and diplomatic relations.

More than 20 farm groups, state ag departments, and agribusinesses sent a letter to President Biden last month asking him to improve trade relations with Cuba.  Those groups include the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, U.S. Grains Council, and National Association of Wheat Growers.

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