Obama Lifts Import Restrictions On Cuban Cigars

Cuban cigars are about to become much more abundant in America. On Oct. 14, the Obama administration lifted import restrictions on Cuban products – including the island’s famous cigars and rum.

“The Treasury Department has worked to break down economic barriers in areas such as travel, trade and commerce, banking, and telecommunications,” Jacob Lew, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, said in a statement, reports Time. “Today’s action builds on this progress by enabling more scientific collaboration, grants and scholarships, people-to-people contact, and private sector growth. These steps have the potential to accelerate constructive change and unlock greater economic opportunity for Cubans and Americans.”

Under the new regulations, which take effect on Oct. 17, the previous $100 limit on alcohol brought into the US from Cuba will be lifted. Furthermore, Cuban pharmaceuticals may now enter the country, and Cubans may purchase American goods online.

“These amendments will create more opportunities for Cuban citizens to access American goods and services, further strengthening the ties between our two countries,” Penny Pritzker, U.S. Commerce Secretary, told the Miami Herald. “More commercial activity between the U.S. and Cuba benefits our people and our economies.”

President Obama began normalizing U.S. relations with Cuba in December 2014. Since then, U.S. airlines have begun direct flights to Cuba, and trade between the nations has started to grow, but the process has been slow for some.

“By our calculation, 3,000 representatives of U.S. companies have been to Cuba,” John Kavulich, president of the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, said. He added that the problem is the Cuban government “saying yes to the interest of U.S. companies but they’re saying no to a commercial relationship with U.S. companies. … We’re running out of time. Cuba will never have a more enthusiastic negotiating partner than President Obama.”

The closer the two countries grow economically, “the harder it will be to roll back the relationship” Lee Ann Evans, senior policy adviser for Engage Cuba, said – referring to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s proposal to reverse all of Obama’s progress with Cuba.

To this, Kavulich advised that “President Obama should go all in … and leave only for his successor the shepherding of a legislative agenda.”

Sources: Time, Miami Herald, (2) / Photo Credit: White House/Instagram