See this restriction lifted. I think i can remind you hopes not a strategy and were hopeful that you all hopeful that you all will take the concern that is being expressed today about al import back to your smaller groups as you discuss opportunities going forward. Weve long been concerned about the extension of credit for ag transactions and trade. Hopefully i think tomorrow were going to try and take a move in the right direction. I think you guys have highlighted the number one thing that we think we can deal with, which is 908. I personally support lifting the embargo entirely. However, that may be a bridge too far for this congress. So weve got to take these baby steps. With that, i have a couple specific questions for you, under secretary. To date, the federal checkoff dollars have not been used with promotion for trade with cuba. Loose reasoning, i think almost an assumption, is that this is due to the language of tsra which precludes the use of any United States assistance incl
To do what they can to level it will Playing Field. For american exporters and the jobs connected with that. I yield. Let me say i want to thank my colleagues for their participation today. I have great for respect for both of you. Ive known you for a long time. I want everyone to know that i recognize there are passionately held views on both side of these issues and these debates. I wish we could report a tpa bill you nanunanimously. Its clear were not going to be able to do that. We create a product and a process on this legislation thats bipartisan. So far i think we really have been successful. I think most people would agree with that. I really want to thank senator widen for his help on this effort. Its been a very difficult one for him as it has been for many of my colleagues on the democrat side. I think its very important that we move forward and let the committee function properly. Im looking forward to even more lively discussion and debate tomorrow. I have tremendous respe
Humanitarian basis, but could you talk about the effect it could have if we were to actually lift the embargo . It will have i believe a tremendous impact on our ability to sell products and greatly increase the amount of products that were currently selling to cuba. Again right now you are looking at about 300 million worth. Again, the study by texas a m and American Farm bureau believe that formalized relations and lifting of the trade restrictions, that number could be in excess of 1 million. Illion. Billion. What this would also mean to the cuban people with the ability to purchase agricultural inputs, fertilizer seed, chemicals, and equipment, i think it would give them also the ability to have agricultural businesses produce more of what their actual demands are in the country. And create revenue throughout to the countryside and help the cuban people especially that live in the rural areas. I think it is a win for both of us, in my opinion. Mr. Under secretary, some have argued
Milk producers would be happy to abide. Others would as well. We are a whole lot closer. Potatoes and beans and a whole range of things are available. Apples seem to be a delicacy at christmas time. I said, we can give you christmas every day. We have a lot of opportunities. Let me ask undersecretary scuse. There is an expression that says, the first step to achieving success is showing up. I think that is really true on trade. Also, our ability to market. You mentioned the Market Access program and the other tools at the department of agriculture. I wonder if you might speak more to what how would you envision the usdas programs going forward, creating opportunities and tools for american agriculture . Mr. Scuse again, if we were allowed to use our Marketing Programs, such as our Market Access program, it is an area where we work with operators to go in, to do the trade missions, to look at ways to develop markets and what the actual needs are through the market assistance program. He
Value of exports is far less than that in roughly 2950 million. U. S. Exporters see a tremendous market in cuba by the authorizations they seek from us though currently they only export a small fraction of that. Those exports go through the cuban import agency. So thrs no changes in our regulations on exports to cuba because thats limitted by the trade sanctions. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman thank you for your statement. Our next witness, johnny smith acting director, office of foreign assets control, the department of treasury. Mr. Smith serves as acting director of the department of Treasury Department of foreign assets. Control or opac is mr. Smiths acronym for which he works which is tasked with administrating economic trade sanctions to advance u. S. National security and Foreign Policy goals. Prior to joining opac he served as expert to the United Nations taliban and sanctions committee. As a Trial Attorney at the u. S. Department of justice. Welcome to your new job. Tha