United States Should Open Trade Talks with Cuba (Rep. Jack Kingston)

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba with Representatives DeLauro (D-Conn.), Berry (D-Ark.), Alexander (R-La.) and Etheridge (D-N.C.). The reason I decided to make the visit was to re-examine our trade embargo against that country. I’m not ready to vote to open up trade nor am I willing to say no to that. But there is no reason not to continue trade talks with Cuba. I’ve been married for 27 years and I’ve been told as long as your wife is throwing plates at you; you have something to work with. I think as long as the two countries are talking, on whatever level, it’s helpful. It’s clear that both countries could get a lot of trade agreements on almost any commodity, but our job as members of Congress isn’t just to look at business proposals, but also the politics, the diplomacy and the human rights standpoints.