US rolls out new Cuba rules on trade, travel
Updated: 2015-01-16 09:21
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
People wait for passengers to arrive at the airport in Havana January 15, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
In addition, there will be a change in the definition of "cash in advance" payment required by Cuban buyers, which could help a variety of business interests, most notably US agriculture, in gaining greater access to Cuban markets.
The announcement was made after the Obama administration said on Monday that Castro's government had fulfilled its promise to free 53 political prisoners as agreed with the US government. It also comes a week before high-level US-Cuba talks in Havana aimed at starting to normalize ties.
'SIGNIFICANT STEP'
Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, called the steps a "significant step" in delivering on Obama's new direction on Cuba. In announcing the shift in December, the president said that decades of trying to force change in Cuba by isolating the island had not worked.
"We firmly believe that allowing increased travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from Cuba will allow the United States to better advance our interests and improve the lives of ordinary Cubans," he said.
But Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American and forceful critic of the policy shift, said it would hurt ordinary Cubans.
"This is a windfall for the Castro regime that will be used to fund its repression against Cubans, as well as its activities against US national interests in Latin America and beyond," he said in a statement.
While Obama is using executive powers to poke holes in trade barriers with Cuba, only Congress can lift the longstanding embargo. With Republicans controlling the Senate and the House, there is little chance of that happening any time soon.
US Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson will hold high-level negotiations in Havana on Jan. 21-22 aimed at starting the normalization process. The discussions will include efforts to reopen embassies in both countries.
- Senior US envoy to visit Cuba over normalized ties
- Obama seeks help of Mexico's Pena Nieto on Cuba, immigration
- Destinations for 2015: Milan, Cuba, Queens and more
- Infant mortality rate remains low in Cuba
- Republicans look to challenge Obama on energy, Cuba, immigration
- 'Insemination diplomacy' helps bring US-Cuba ties out of cold
- Education, culture pave way to Cuba for US travelers
- Cuba under the lens
- US not to link Iran nuke talks to prisoner issue
- Beijing travel film wows TV viewers
- Beverly Hills welcomes Chinese
- Airport workers protest on Martin Luther King birthday
- US rolls out new Cuba rules on trade, travel
- Two Chinese-American reps sworn in
- Mental illness no handicap to Nanjing artists
- Kashgar's diversity of cultures
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
China's 2014 diplomacy |
CES: Connected cars trends to watch |
Kung fu star's son sentenced to six months in prison |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |
95% of netizens disapprove of removal of cleavage scenes |
How does anti-graft watchdog handle petitions? |
Today's Top News
Teens to face murder trial in killing of Chinese USC student
US economic rebound to reverberate to China: Analysts
Chinese piece headlines Carnegie recital
Silicon Valley will mark Spring Festival
Miami to China: Come see about us
US official lauds fight by China vs. graft
China plays mediator in Afghanistan
Chinese tourists boost travel to Los Angeles
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |