Trade relations between the United States and Cuba would be restored, enabling the private sector to export agricultural and other goods, under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).
In addition to allowing private sector industries to engage in business with Cuba, the Cuba Trade Act, S. 472, would also give financial institutions the freedom to extend credit to Cuba while protecting U.S. taxpayers from financial risks.
“Cuba is only 90 miles from our border, making it a natural market for our nation’s farmers and ranchers,” Moran said. “At a time when we need more markets badly as ever, lifting the embargo and opening up Cuba for American agricultural commodities would help increase exports, create new jobs and boost the U.S. economy. Keep in mind that when we don’t sell agricultural commodities to Cuba, somebody else does.”
Markets in the United States will continue to grow and evolve to meet customer demand, Moran said, but in order to boost prices for American farmers, the United States needs more markets. “We need them now. We need them in the future. And we need to be able to indicate to our farmers that hope is in the works in global markets,” Moran said in a speech on the Senate floor.
“We’ve talked about the importance of trade, of exports in the United States, and particularly to the citizens of Kansas. But that is particularly true for an agricultural state like ours where, again, 95 percent of the consumers live some place outside the United States,” he said.
Cuba imports the vast majority of its food, but unilateral trade barriers have blocked U.S. farmers and ranchers while allowing sellers in Canada, France and China to step up.
“The Cuba Trade Act that I have just introduced seeks to amend our own country’s laws so that American farmers can operate on a level playing field with the rest of the world,” Moran said. “While boosting American exports remains a primary goal of lifting the embargo, I also think there’s an opportunity for us to increase the reforms, to improve the lives of the Cuban people as well.”
Ken Wood, a farmer from Kansas and the president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, said wheat producers understand that increasing trade and expanding market opportunities is the best way to address a downward trend in the Kansas agricultural economy.
“Opening up the Cuban market to Kansas wheat and other agricultural products would provide a much needed export boost at a time when we need to create more demand,” Wood said. “We are thankful that Sen. Moran is leading the charge for Kansas farmers and commend him for reintroducing this common sense legislation.”