Bentley seeks end to Cuba embargo, eyes trade opportunities with Communist regime

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley endorsed an effort this week to lift the decades-long trade restrictions with Cuba, signing a letter with eight other governors urging Congress to follow President Obama’s lead in normalizing relations with the communist country.

“It is time for Congress to take action and remove the financial, travel, and other restrictions that impede normal commerce and trade between our nation and Cuba,” the governors wrote.

“Ending the embargo will create jobs here at home, especially in rural America, and will create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Expanding trade with Cuba will further strengthen our nation’s agriculture sector by opening a market of 11 million people just 90 miles from our shores, and continue to maintain the tremendous momentum of U.S. agricultural exports, which reached a record $152 billion in 2014.”

Despite the embargo, which blocks most goods from being traded with the island country, Alabama has maintained some relations with Cuba, selling approximately $32.8 million in agricultural goods—mostly poultry.

But the governors acknowledge that opening trade between the two countries would be about more than economics.

“Bi-lateral trade and travel among citizens of both nations will engender a more harmonious relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, while providing new opportunities for U.S. interests to benefit economically from improved relationships,” they wrote “The benefits of fully opening Cuba to free market trading with the U.S. go beyond dollars and cents. This positive change in relations between our nations will usher in a new era of cooperation that transcends business. Expanded diplomatic relations, corporate partnerships, trade and dialogue will put us in a better position to boost democratic ideals in Cuba. This goal has not been achieved with an outdated strategy of isolation and sanctions.”

This week’s letter isn’t the first time Alabama lawmakers have expressed their views on the federal government to exploring an end to the embargo.

In June Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL1) took part in a delegation visit to the country. Rep. Byrne expressed concerns over President Obama’s unilateral executive action to “normalize relations” with Cuba.

“I was immediately concerned by this announcement because the President had once again decided to act alone without any consultation with Congress,” said Byrne. “This pattern of executive overreach has been far too common from the Obama administration. I also had serious concerns about normalizing relations with Cuba while the Castro regime was still in power.

“Despite these reservations, I do want to see the United States and Cuba reach the point where diplomatic relations can be fully restored and the Congressionally imposed trade embargo can be lifted. I also realize that the city of Mobile and all of Southwest Alabama is uniquely suited to potentially benefit from improved relations with Cuba.”

With a port merely 600 nautical miles from Mobile Bay, Alabama is indeed in a good situation to capitalize on opening trade with Cuba. Bentley was the only southern governor to sign onto the letter.

Other signees were Edmund Brown of California, C.L. Otter of Idaho, Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Steve Bullock of Montana, Thomas Wolfe of Pennsylvania, Peter Shumlin of Vermont, Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, and Jay Inslee of Washington.