[Authored by Mr. Jose Gonazalez, Instructor of Entrepreneurship and International business]
A bipartisan group of US senators has recently introduced a bill that would allow US citizens to travel freely to Cuba. This has added fuel to the fire on the debate regarding the embargo to this Caribbean country of almost 12 million people.
I’ve been interested for quite some time now, about why we continue to dismiss opportunities that may be available for engaging in trade with Cuba just because they’re a communist nation. While I understand the criticism and emotions that surround Fidel and its era- I’m no fan myself- I think we’re long overdue to revisit our policy to engage in business with the Cuban people. We’re stuck in thinking that because they’re a communist country, we should not trade with them. What about China? What about Vietnam? Americans can travel more easily to Iran or Venezuela, which today pose more genuine security and economic threats, than to Cuba.
After 50 years, it’s clear that the embargo didn’t work. Sen. Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently commented that "After 47 years ... the unilateral embargo on Cuba has failed to achieve its stated purpose of bringing democracy to the Cuban people.”
Businesses for years have tried to persuade congress to lift the restrictions. From dairy farmers, to service companies in the hospitality industry- they all claim Cuba is a potential attractive market and are ready to sell, invest and do business on the island. A team of my International Business students reported during their presentation that there have been thousands of trademark applications in Cuba from US companies that are anxious and ready to go… when they’re allowed. Time to have a conversation about the merits of the embargo, and explore what a more congruent trade policy should look like responding to the realities of 2009.
Authored by Mr. Jose Gonazalez, Instructor of Entrepreneurship and International business