Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) issued the following statement on President Obama’s announcement on U.S. Cuba policy.
NFTC President Bill Reinsch stated:
“The release of American prisoner Alan Gross and President Obama’s decision to seek the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba is most welcome news. The decision is truly strategic. Decades of embargo have not advanced democracy or liberty for the Cuban people.
“The changes in the embargo made by the President within his executive authority will promote the free flow of information between individual Cubans and the rest of the world. Restoring normal diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba will foster U.S. interests culturally, commercially and regionally. It is past time to bring down the walls.
“While these changes are essential to promoting democracy in Cuba, they will not promote an immediate bonanza for American exporters. There is much work to be done in rebuilding what has historically been an important market for our manufacturers, farmers and service providers.
“The NFTC salutes the Administration for advancing these measures. We encourage the 114th Congress to support the President’s actions.”
NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin added:
“Congress now has a decision to make. It can either show that politics stops at the water’s edge, or insist that the walls of the Cold War still exist.”
About the NFTC
