-The Hagstrom Report
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., last week introduced the U.S.-Cuba Trade Act of 2021 to repeal the major statutes that codify sanctions against Cuba, including the Helms-Burton Act and the Cuban Democracy Act, as well as other provisions that affect trade, investment and travel with Cuba.
The bill would establish normal trade relations with the country.
“Our nation’s embargo on Cuba is an artifact from the 1960s,” Wyden said. “To continue this outdated, harmful policy of isolation would be a failure of American leadership. While [President Donald] Trump increased tensions with Cuba during his disastrous time in office, I am optimistic about President Biden’s new diplomatic course. Regardless, Congress has a moral and economic obligation to the American people to improve U.S.-Cuban relations as swiftly and safely as possible.”