U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on May 19 proposed the bipartisan Freedom to Export to Cuba Act, which would lift the United States trade embargo on Cuba.
“This legislation will expand market opportunities for U.S. producers by allowing them to compete on a level playing field with other countries,” said Sen. Moran. “It is time to amend our own laws to give U.S. producers fair access to market consumers in Cuba.”
S. 1694, which Sen. Moran cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), aims to eliminate the legal barriers preventing Americans from doing business in Cuba, create new economic opportunities by boosting U.S. exports, and allow Cubans increased access to U.S. goods, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s staff.
“The unilateral trade embargo on Cuba blocks our own farmers, ranchers and manufacturers from selling into a market only 90 miles from our shoreline, while foreign competitors such as China benefit at our expense,” Sen. Moran said.
If enacted, S. 1694 would repeal key provisions of previous laws that block Americans from doing business in Cuba, but would retain portions of U.S. law that address human rights and property claims against the Cuban government, the bill summary says.
“As we work to rebuild our economy following the pandemic, lifting the trade embargo will open the door to a large export market and create jobs in the U.S.,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “It’s time to turn the page on the failed policy of isolation by passing our bipartisan legislation to end the embargo once and for all.”
The bill received endorsements from Engage Cuba, the Washington Office on Latin America, and the Latin America Working Group.