American President Donald Trump has managed to come up with a new policy toward Cuba that doesn’t completely reverse the positive changes introduced by former president Barack Obama, but at the same time is reluctantly swallowed by die-hard anti-Castro Americans, especially the Cuban-American community in Florida.
Although the new arrangement does contain a number of changes to Obama’s policies regarding travel to Cuba by Americans, the authorized categories and conditions would likely make it possible for most Americans to justify their reason for visiting Cuba.
The new procedures reportedly will not adversely affect American airlines or cruise vessels arriving in Cuba.
And even restrictions that would prohibit business dealings with the Cuban military, or businesses under its control, will not seriously affect U.S. groups seeking authority to establish business deals or investments with Cuban entities.
Trump pointedly did not block the sending of U.S. funds to Cuban relatives, which would seriously anger many Cuban-Americans.
As expected, Trump has described the forthcoming new measures as justified to advance the democratic process in Cuba. (He has not shown the same concern regarding the lack of democracy or human rights in Saudi Arabia, which he just visited and to which sold a massive arms shipment.)
The changes announced were linked to a deal Trump made with Republican Senator Marco Rubio from Florida and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, also a Republican.
Fortunately for those who viewed Obama’s changes as positive measures benefitting both countries, Trump accepted such positive impacts being in the U.S.’s interests, despite his continued denigration of any policies originating with Obama.
In any event, one survey reported three out of four Americans favoured the changes initiated by Obama, and some American states have increased agricultural exports to Cuba, creating jobs in the U.S., a key goal of Trump.
While many see tourism as a key factor in Cuba’s development, there’s also growing awareness that in order for tourism to develop on a larger scale, there has to be a major expansion of hotels and ancillary facilities, including upgraded and expanded transportation infrastructure.
U.S. airlines, which are now able to schedule increasing numbers of flights to Cuba, have already expressed concern over insufficient hotel rooms available in cities such as Havana, a problem large American cruise vessels do not confront with their built-in accommodation and full-range facilities.
One concern Canadian tourists have had regarding the possibility of major changes in Cuba involves Cuba’s positive image as a tourist destination.
One million Canadians visit Cuba annually. Some reports indicate hotel rooms in Havana can now cost as much as $200 US or more. There’s growing concern a large influx of American tourists could eventually make the cost of visiting Cuba out of reach for some Canadians.
While some might regard such tourism changes as worrisome, there are other factors to be considered in the broader context of future relations between Cuba and the U.S.
One highly sensitive and difficult issue that will have to be dealt with is the complex issue of companies and property seized from private owners by the Cuban government, including real estate taken over by the Cuban authorities from both Cuban and American owners. The amounts in question could be astronomical.
How such a complex and highly emotional issue can be resolved obviously is a major challenge with serious ramifications for both countries.
Unfortunately, it will not be easy for the two governments to deal with such sensitive issues, especially since many involved in economic and home ownership claims are now U.S. citizens with influential American politicians expected to defend their claims, especially Rubio, who still has presidential aspirations.
But in the meantime, the immediate task facing Cuba and the U.S. is to accept they are neighbours and need to build on that reality.
Adopting a good-neighbour policy could also bring benefits to Canada. A meaningful improvement in U.S.-Cuba relations could end the U.S.-imposed barriers to trading with Cuba imposed by the Helms-Burton Act, which has also undermined the willingness of Canadian companies to embark upon major trade and economic initiatives with Cuba.
It’s time to close the door on the past.
Harry Sterling, a former diplomat, is an Ottawa-based commentator. He served in Cuba.
