Ban 1

On the United States’ Foreign Policy Regarding

Trade with Cuba

Term Project Proposal

Brick Ban

GOVT 2305-23406 Spring 2019 Prof. Ahad Hayaud-Din

Word Count (649)

 Ban 2

The United States is still restricting trade with Cuba, endorsing a petty agenda that started

in The Cold War. There is According to the US Department of State’s website, “The United

States seeks a stable, prosperous, and free country for the Cuban people” (“Cuba”). The ideals

that the United States claims to seek for the country of Cuba are not currently represented in the

attitude and restrictions of trade in The United States foreign policy with Cuba. President Obama

seemed to have a plan in place to smooth the relationship between the two countries (Rangel 1).

The problem with the remaining restrictions is the disagreement between the two countries on

human rights. While President Obama did sign several executive orders facilitating limited trade

during his presidency; however, “an embargo remains in place, and by law, Congress cannot lift

it until, among other things, the Cuban government commits to democratization and human

rights reform” (Weldon 1). There is something to be said about continuing with restrictions while

both countries are steadfast and unmoving in their beliefs because, “While encouraging

democratic reform, and backing dissidents is certainly worthwhile, the United States can have a

bigger impact by finding ways to support private entrepreneurs and by peeling back the

sanctions” (Acosta González 7).

Cuba and The United States have always had an interesting relationship with a lot of

tension still remaining since The Cuban Missile Crisis back in the 1960’s. However, before The

Cuban Missile Crisis, and a few years earlier when Fidel Castro took control of the country, The

United States and Cuban had a pleasant relationship economically with trade and tourism.

Because of the direction Castro took the country and how openly they traded with The Soviet

Union, President Eisenhower took measures to make changes to the policies involving

international trade with The United States and Cuba. Since the 60’s there have been many

changes to those policies but the fact remains that Cuba and The United States no longer have
 Ban 3

the same issues they had back when restrictions were first introduced. Looking at the article

“Free Cuba Now” Charles Rangel has the right idea when it comes to weighing options of free

trade with Cuba, he writes, “The opportunities outweigh any rationale for perpetuating Cuba’s

economic and social isolation. The natural inclination of people to be free and to engage with

others demands that we move forward.” (Rangel 4-5). He argues that it’s no longer feasible for

The United States to be restricting trade when the reasons for doing so no longer exist. The

United States government has come up with new reasons that frankly do not seem to warrant the

amount of restrictions that exist.

There seems to be a large group of people that believe the best way to help encourage

democracy and human rights in a country like Cuba is to open up the trade policy and lead by

example in a way that encourages the people of Cuba to create change in their own country

rather than getting involved with their government directly. This would benefit not only Cuba

but the United States as well in terms of trade. Because of the size of Cuba’s economy and the

proximity of the country to The United States the lack of free trade is just a missed opportunity

regardless of the human rights disagreements. This paper will explore how the current United

States foreign policy on Cuba affects both countries and how a different option may be more

effective and beneficial to both parties. It will discuss the possible reasons for keeping

restrictions and what the effects of more restrictions may look like in respect to both countries’

economies as well. The United States could very easily gain access to a massive economy in

very close proximity while encouraging a country to improve upon its standard of living, views

on democratic reform, and issues surrounding human rights.

 Ban 4

Works Cited

Primary Sources:

Acosta González, Yoan Karell. “The Us-Cuba Policy Shift as Viewed by the New York Times:

A Critical Analysis from the Island” International Journal of Cuban Studies, vol. 9, no.

2, Winter 2017, pp. 180-195. EBSCOhost,

dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110564136&site=ehost-live. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

Rangel, Charles. “Free Trade with Cuba Now.” Harvard Journal on Legislation, vol. 52, no. 2,

July 2015, pp. 327–341. EBSCOhost,

dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110564136&site=ehost-live. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

Weldon, Marcia Narine. “You Say Embargo, I Say Bloqueo--A Policy Recommendation for

Promoting Foreign Direct Investment and Safeguarding Human Rights in Cuba.” Emory

International Law Review, vol. 32, no. 1, Nov. 2017, pp. 1–49. EBSCOhost,

dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110564136&site=ehost-live. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

Supplementary Sources:

“Cuba.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 8 Feb. 2019,

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.