The Obama administration is working to end a trade embargo and increase trade with Cuba, and many think U.S. agriculture would stand to gain a great deal from that improved relationship. Stakeholders say they think improved trade between the two countries would be a mutually beneficial relationship.
Paul Johnson is the co-chair of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba. He says agriculture can improve relations with Cuba in a way that no other economic category can.
Members of the coalition says enhancing the trading relationship could also help Cuban agriculture catch up after lagging behind in agricultural advances during the Castro family’s leadership. U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight says improved trade could help Cuba in all aspects of the supply chain.
The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba is a group of more than 100 state and national ag organizations and companies seeking to expand trade with Cuba, which lies just 90 miles from the coast of the U.S. Many on Capitol Hill have been hesitant to do so because of Cuba’s current form of communist government.
