Texas commissioner urges more trade with Cuba

[Jimmy2]

The Associated Press

AUSTIN -- Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said Friday he is asking President Barack Obama to help expand trade with Cuba so that country can be restored as a market for Texas and American products while serving Cuba's humanitarian needs.

Staples made the announcement in an address at a symposium on Cuba-U.S. relations at the University of Texas at Austin.

"Texas agricultural products are the best in the world. I want our producers to expand their trading relationships across the globe, and that includes the Cuban market," Staples said. "After visiting the island nation, I see the opportunity for both countries to benefit by relaxing the current trade restrictions."

Staples sent a letter to Obama dated Thursday that said other countries are capitalizing on Cuban demands for products.

"I know the diplomatic policy process with Cuba will present extensive challenges," Staples wrote. He went on to ask that Obama move aggressively toward strong diplomatic relationships that allow for free and open trade with Cuba.

The United States has had a trade embargo against Cuba since 1962. In 2000, Congress passed a law allowing the sale of some agricultural and medical products to Cuba.

Last year, Staples led a Texas delegation of farmers, ranchers, commodity suppliers and port representatives to Cuba, becoming the first statewide elected official from Texas to visit the nation on official state business in more than 45 years. Staples said the purpose of the trip was to identify Cuban food needs not met by domestic production.

Since that visit, Texas producers have secured cotton and grain contracts totaling nearly $1 million. Earlier this week, WestStar Foods, another trade delegation member, shipped 5,000 tons of beans to Cuba from the Port of Corpus Christi and expects to deliver additional shipments later this year, according to the commissioner's office.

"In addition to its close proximity as our neighbor, Cuba and its people are in extreme need of America's leadership," Staples wrote to Obama. Staples said since the trade embargo Cubans have been deprived of the highest-quality food from the United States.

[DocRKS]

I'm afraid that until Officials from FLORIDA get behind a move to normalize relations with Habana - this is not going to be acted upon very favourably by the current or any other Administration....this is just way too an emotionally charged issue to be dealt with as a matter of acting upon what makes common sense as Mr. Staples from Texas is trying to do....

[Punch Joe]

Staples sent a letter to Obama dated Thursday that said other countries are capitalizing on Cuban demands for products.

Jimmy, we might only need corn, wheat, rice and other cereals to complement the daily basket from our neighbor. Donations will be welcome...:-) ha, ha...