1. Should the United States seek to tighten its economic grip on Cuba? If so, why?

Before USA plans to put any kind of economic pressure on Cuba, I think it would be wise to
assess its implications for USA. USA is not that far from Cuba via sea. In case USA puts undue
pressure on Cuba, there is a chance that an issue of immigration may arise as Cubans would try
to move to USA to find a good life there. The other issue that may arise is the fact that Cuba may
not respond to this tightening well. It could have political reparations for the US as Cuba might
try to involve its historical allies like Russia into this situation.

1. Should the United States normalize business relations with Cuba? If so, what
conditions might/should the U.S. stipulate?

This would be in the interest of USA to normalize its relations with Cuba in my opinion. It has
been a long time since USA and Cuba have had bad relations and I see no benefits of it. Also
USA might benefit from the market of Cuba as its business people could go and look for
investment opportunities in Cuba. Research has indicated that good relations with neighboring
countries could have financial and economic advantages (Dimitrov, Petrakos, 2003).

USA might want to put a balance in its exports and imports with Cuba as it would not be in the
best interest of USA to have an export import deficit. USA could also make sure that its business
people who want to investment are free of political pressure of any kind inside Cuba.

1. Assume you are Cuba’s leader. What kind of trade relationship with the United
States would be in your best interest? What type would you be willing to accept?

As a Cuban leader, I would expect US to honor any deals that the two countries make. I would
want them to facilitate Cuban investors inside US, the same way Cuba is willing to facilitate
their investors. I would also want US to restrain from any political interference in the internal
politics of Cuba.

1. How do the structure and relationships of the U.S. political system influence the
existence and specification of the trade embargo?

The existence of the trade embargo towards Cuba is due to difference in political structures in the
two countries, i.e. Cuba and USA. One country is democratically run while other has a family
running it. Economic ideologies are also different in both the countries. Cuban economy is
socialist while USA is capitalist. Political and business elites in both countries have their own
interest that may be in conflict with each other.