The dominant view of U.S.-Cuba economic relations is negative while another is positive.
The Negative View
The well documented and valid view is negative, led by the U.N. General Assembly’s annual and near universal condemnation of the U.S. embargo of the island.
The most recent occurred on October 30, 2024, when the General Assembly again overwhelmingly approved –187 to 2 (the U.S. and Israel, objecting) and 1 abstention (Moldova)—the resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” [1]
“Though non-binding, the result drew attention to the relative isolation of the US regarding the embargo, which was first imposed in 1960 after former leader Fidel Castro came to power following the revolution.”
“The resolution reaffirmed, among other principles, the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation.”
“The General Assembly also reiterated its call for all States to refrain from promulgating or applying restrictive laws and measures, in line with their obligations under the UN Charter and international law, which, inter alia, reaffirm the freedom of trade and navigation.”
“[The [General Assembly], once again urges States that have and continue to apply such laws and measures to take the steps necessary to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible in accordance with their legal regime.” (Rmphasis added.)
“The Assembly also recalled the measures adopted by US President Barack Obama in 2015 and 2016 to modify several aspects of the application of the embargo, “which contrast with the measures applied since 2017 to reinforce its implementation.” (Emphasis added.)
“Through the resolution, the General Assembly also decided to include the agenda item entitled “necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” in the provisional agenda of next year’s session.”
Granma (the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba) naturally celebrated this U.N. action and its support from “[r]epresentatives of dozens of European solidarity organizations, parties and unions [that] expressed their support for Cuba and rejected the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States. In the emblematic Parisian square of Trocadero, with the Eiffel Tower as a witness, more than 200 delegates from thirty countries ratified their support for the island in the epilogue of the 19th European Continental Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, which took place over the weekend at the headquarters of the French Communist Party. (PL).”[2]
Granma also noted the recent participation of 300 delegates at the 19th European Continental Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba and its ratification of the U.N. demand for the lifting of the blockade and the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor or terrorism. [3]
The Cuban Foreign Ministry published similar expressions of gratitude for other support for the U.N. resolution.[4]
Surprisingly there were no reports about this U.N. resolution in the leading U.S. newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal). And the website for the U.S. State Department merely says, “The United States maintains a comprehensive economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba. In February 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba, in response to certain actions taken by the Cuban Government, and directed the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury to implement the embargo, which remains in place today.”[5]
This blog consistently has opposed the embargo (blockade) and advocated for the U.S. to abandon same.[6]
The Positive View
On the other hand, there are positive aspects about the two countries economic relations.
This blog recently pointed out that the “U.S.-Cuba Economic and Trade Council, a private U.S. business group, stated that this U.N. resolution “will not fix Cuba, nor will it force others to fix it.” [7] This is because “the Government of Cuba [does] not take advantage of, and actively does not do so, all commercial, cultural, economic, financial and political opportunities with the United States that are authorized by the policies, regulations and statutes implemented by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.”
Moreover, this U.S. business group pointed out the following:
“[I]n 2016, the importation of coffee from Cuba into the United States was authorized for the first time. Since 2016, Cuban health care products (medicines) have been imported into the United States for evaluation. In 2017, the importation of charcoal from Cuba into the United States was authorized for the first time. New York-based Nespresso USA Inc., a subsidiary of Lausanne, Switzerland-based Nestlé SA, exports products to the United States and imports products from the Republic of Cuba.”
- In “2001 Cuba made its first purchase of U.S. agricultural and food products ($4.8 million). In the subsequent 23 years, “Cuba is ranked each year among the top 60 export markets for U.S. agricultural and food products out of the 220 commercial destinations that the US has for these items.”
- “[S]tarting in 2015, there were companies based in the United States that made commitments to the Republic of Cuba” despite the fact that “they had claims certified by the United States Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (USFCSC)” derived from the confiscations of American companies undertaken by Fidel Castro.”
- “During the Obama-Biden Administration, some of the highest-profile certified claimants [for the Cuban expropriation of their property] had engaged with the Cuban market. The proceeds earned in Cuba by these claimants would have easily provided funding not only for the original value of the certified claim, but also for the interest value.”
- “The Cuban government had the means, the motive, and the opportunity during the Obama-Biden and Biden-Harris Administrations to create a broad and deep commercial, economic, and financial landscape across the country, from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. But they were painfully squandered.”
It also should be pointed out that in September 2024, “U.S. exports to Cuba increased by 53.3%. Here are some of those exports: bean seeds for planting (worth $7,281), chili seeds for planting ($6,427), animal livers ($32,670) , adhesives ($3,000), cement items ($14,346), porcelain items ($14,687), fans ($210,000). For the first nine months of 2024, authorized U.S. exports totaled $31,966,013.”[8]
Conclusion
Yes, some of the positive aspects of U.S. economic relations with Cuba are small, but the Cuban government and economic system may legitimately be criticized for being poorly managed and not encouraging the island’s economic development.
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[1] UN News, General Assembly renews long-standing call for end to US embargo against Cuba (Oct. 30, 2024);
[2] Europeans support Cuba and condemn the blockade . . .,” Granma (Nov. 24, 2024)
[3] European meeting of solidarity with Cuba described as successful, Granma (Nov. 14, 2024).
[4] Declaration of the 20th forum of the cuban society against the blockade, Cuba Foreign Ministry (Nov. 1, 2024)
[5] Cuba Sanctions, U.S. State Dept.
[6] See list of posts in the “U.S. Embargo of Cuba” section in List of Posts to dwkcommentaries—Topical : CUBA [as of 5/4/20]; U.S. Extends Cuba Embargo for Another Year, dwkcommentaries.com (Sept. 19, 2024); Criticism of the Recent U.N. General Assembly Resolution Against the U.S. Embargo of Cuba, dwkcommentaries.com (Oct. 31, 2024);U.S. Congressmen Ask President Biden To Provide Sanctions Relief and Other Aid to Cuba,, dwkcommentaries.com(Nov. 20, 2024).
[7] Criticisms of the Recent U.N. General Assembly Resolution Against the U.S. Embargo of Cuba, dwkcommentareis.com (Sept. 19, 2024).
[8] Increasing U.S. Exports to Cuba., dwkcommentaries.com (Nov. 11, 2024).
Is the “ U.S.-Cuba Economic and Trade Council” really just one guy?